Bell 430
Bell Helicopter · Canada · first flew 1994 · helicopter
The Bell 430 is a stretched, more powerful development of the Bell 230, a medium twin helicopter for executive and utility work.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 13.44 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Stretched twin-turbine helicopter
- Four-blade main rotor
- Retractable or skid gear options
Recognise it by a four-blade main rotor over a longer cabin than the 427, the option of retractable wheeled gear, and twin engines mounted above and behind the cabin.
Specifications
- The Bell 430 has a length of 13.44 m (44 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12.8 m (42 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 265 km/h (165 mph).
- Typical crew: 1-2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
It first flew in 1994 as a lengthened Model 230 fitted with a new four-blade bearingless main rotor and uprated engines. The extra cabin length and power broadened its appeal for corporate transport.
Variants
The 430 was offered with either skid or retractable-wheel undercarriage and in various VIP, EMS and utility interiors. It traces its ancestry through the 230 back to the Bell 222.
Where you'll see it
Popular with corporate and head-of-state operators, it has appeared on civil registers worldwide; UK use is civilian rather than military.
Related aircraft
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