Bell 222UT
Bell Helicopter · United States · first flew 1983 · helicopter
The Bell 222UT (Utility Twin) is a skid-gear variant of the Bell 222B, trading the parent type's retractable tricycle undercarriage for fixed tubular skids to reduce cost and simplify maintenance for utility and emergency medical operations.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Same streamlined fuselage and four-bladed semi-rigid main rotor as Bell 222B |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Skid landing gear replaces the retractable wheeled undercarriage of standard Bell 222/222B — the defining visual difference
- Same streamlined fuselage and four-bladed semi-rigid main rotor as Bell 222B
- Slightly lower acquisition and operating cost; preferred by EMS operators for simpler ground handling
The tubular skid undercarriage is immediately visible from any angle and distinguishes the UT from all other Bell 222 variants at a glance. The fuselage, streamlined snout nose and four-bladed main rotor are unchanged from the 222B.
Specifications
- The Bell 222UT has a length of 12.85 m (42 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12.8 m (42 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 250 km/h (155 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Bell introduced the 222UT in 1983 as a lower-cost version of the 222B aimed at the EMS and utility market, where the mechanical complexity of a retractable undercarriage was an unwanted expense. The airframe, rotor system and engines are shared with the 222B; only the undercarriage is changed. The skid gear was a significant visual departure from the sleek wheeled 222.
Variants
No further sub-variants. Related types: Bell 222 (base, wheeled), Bell 222B (upgraded engines/rotor, wheeled), Bell 230 (successor with Allison 250-C30 engines).
Where you'll see it
EMS, corporate shuttle and utility operators; the type also appeared as the fictional Airwolf helicopter in the 1980s US television series Airwolf.
Related aircraft
- OH-58D Kiowa Warrior
- Bell 222B
- Bell 222
- Bell 206L LongRanger
- Agusta A129 Mangusta
- Airbus Helicopters AS565 Panther
- Bell 400 TwinRanger
- Helibras HB355N Esquilo Bi
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