Bell 205A
Bell Helicopter · United States · first flew 1961 · helicopter
The Bell 205A is the commercial utility helicopter version of the military UH-1H Iroquois, offering a lengthened fuselage capable of carrying up to 14 passengers or substantial cargo.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Civil version of the UH-1H Iroquois with longer fuselage than 204 |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Civil version of the UH-1H Iroquois with longer fuselage than 204
- Two-blade semi-rigid teetering main rotor
- Large sliding cabin doors on each side for utility access
Similar to the 204 but noticeably longer with large sliding doors; the classic two-blade Huey rotor and slender tail boom remain the key recognition features.
Specifications
- The Bell 205A has a length of 12.77 m (42 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 14.63 m (48 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 222 km/h (138 mph).
- Typical crew: 1 + up to 14 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Bell developed the 205 to provide a larger-capacity civil Huey, introducing a longer fuselage over the 204; the 205A was produced for commercial operators and was also licence-built by Agusta in Italy. It became a workhorse of utility helicopter operations worldwide.
Variants
The 205A-1 followed with an uprated engine; Agusta produced the AB 205 for military and civil customers across Europe.
Where you'll see it
Extremely widely operated globally in utility, EMS, firefighting, and logging roles; still in active service in many countries.
Related aircraft
- Bell UH-1D Iroquois
- Bell UH-1B Iroquois
- Bell 207 Sioux Scout
- Bell AH-1 Cobra
- Agusta AB 204AS
- Bell 205
- Boeing CH-47 Chinook
- CH-47J Chinook
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