Bell 222
Bell Helicopter · United States · first flew 1976 · helicopter
The Bell 222 is a sleek twin-turboshaft light helicopter notable for being the first US civil helicopter with fully retractable tricycle landing gear, offering airliner-like aerodynamic cleanliness in a compact executive and EMS platform.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 12.85 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Retractable tricycle undercarriage on a light twin helicopter — highly unusual and immediately distinctive
- Streamlined pointed 'snout' nose and four-bladed semi-rigid main rotor; twin-bladed tail rotor
- FAA certified 1979; first light twin helicopter with full retractable gear to enter service
The retractable wheeled undercarriage retracts into the lower forward and aft fuselage sponsons and is visible as three wheel bays when open during approach. In flight the clean underside with gear retracted gives the 222 a noticeably sleeker profile than most light helicopters. The pointed nose and four-bladed main rotor are consistent family traits.
Specifications
- The Bell 222 has a length of 12.85 m (42 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12.12 m (40 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 257 km/h (160 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Bell began development of the 222 in the early 1970s to fill the gap between light singles and medium twins. The prototype flew on 13 August 1976 at Arlington, Texas; FAA type certification followed in August 1979. The retractable undercarriage and streamlined fuselage gave the 222 a distinctive corporate appearance that influenced subsequent twin-turboshaft designs. Production of all 222 variants reached approximately 182 aircraft.
Variants
Bell 222 (base, LTS101-650C-3 engines), Bell 222B (larger rotor, uprated LTS101-750C-1), Bell 222UT (skid gear). The Bell 230 is the turbine-upgraded successor.
Where you'll see it
Corporate aviation, EMS, law enforcement and offshore oil support; the 222 also served as the basis for the fictional Airwolf helicopter in the 1980s TV series (though the Airwolf prop was a 222UT with skids).
Related aircraft
- Bell 206L LongRanger
- Bell 222B
- Bell 212 Twin Huey
- Bell 222UT
- Hughes MD 500D
- Ka-29
- Kamov Ka-29TB
- MD 500 Defender
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