| Revision as of 18:46, 4 June 2007 editFnlayson (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, New page reviewers, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers148,442 edits →External links: removed non-working 429 launch page, added 2 recent links← Previous edit | Revision as of 01:34, 6 June 2007 edit undo207.112.122.35 (talk) →DesignNext edit → | ||
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| * Rigid 4-blade rotor system; composite rotor blades feature swept tips for reduced noise | * Rigid 4-blade rotor system; composite rotor blades feature swept tips for reduced noise | ||
| * Twin, |
* Twin, two-bladed "stacked" tailrotor design for reduced noise<ref name="rw0407"/> | ||
| * 200-cu-ft cabin with flat floor for patient loading | * 200-cu-ft cabin with flat floor for patient loading | ||
| * Optional aft clamshell doors (under tail boom) for ease of patient loading | * Optional aft clamshell doors (under tail boom) for ease of patient loading | ||
Revision as of 01:34, 6 June 2007
The Bell 429 GlobalRanger is a light-/intermediate-twin helicopter currently under development as a stretched derivative of the Bell 427. First flight of the prototype took place on February 27, 2007, and Bell is planning on certification by mid-2008.
Development
The impetus for developing the Bell 429 came primarily from the emergency medical services (EMS) industry, which has been looking for an updated helicopter. The airframe is an outgrowth of the Bell 427, which Bell had hoped to market to the EMS industry. However, the 427's small cabin size would not adequately accommodate a patient litter, so the helicopter's sales were weak. Bell is also partnering with Korea Aerospace Industries and Mitsui Bussan Aerospace of Japan in the helicopter's development. The launch customer for the Bell 429 is Air Methods Corporation, the largest medevac provider in the United States.
Bell had originally intended to fly the prototype by the end of 2006, with certificate and first deliveries at the end of 2007, but a number of design problems, including some with the unique counter-rotating tail rotor, caused the manufacturer to stretch the development timetable.
Design
- Features
- Rigid 4-blade rotor system; composite rotor blades feature swept tips for reduced noise
- Twin, two-bladed "stacked" tailrotor design for reduced noise
- 200-cu-ft cabin with flat floor for patient loading
- Optional aft clamshell doors (under tail boom) for ease of patient loading
- Skid gear standard, retractable wheel landing gear optional
Specifications (Bell 429)
 |
This aircraft article is missing some (or all) of its specifications. If you have a source, you can help Misplaced Pages by adding them. |
Data from Bell Helicopters 429 product specs, Flug Revue Bell 429 page
General characteristics
- Crew: 1 pilot
- Capacity: 7 passengers
Performance
References
- ^ "Bell Flies 429, Stretches Program", Rotor & Wing, April, 2007
- Bell 429 product specs
- Cite error: The named reference
Flug Revuewas invoked but never defined (see the help page).
External links
- Bell 429 on manufacturer's site
- Flug Revue Bell 429 page
- Bell 429 flight tests gather momentum
- Bell 429 showcases MAPL technology
Related content
Related development
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