Bell 222

Origins

In the late 1960s, Bell began designing a new twin-turbine engine light helicopter. A mockup of the new helicopter was displayed in January 1974 at a helicopter convention. Following interest at the convention the company announced the new Bell 222. It was the first light commercial twin-turbine helicopter developed in the United States.

The Bell 222 incorporated a number of advanced features including dual hydraulic and electrical systems, sponsons housing the retractable landing gear, and the Noda Matic vibration reduction system developed for the Bell 214ST.

Manufacturing began in 1975. The Model 222 first flew on August 13, 1976. It received certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on August 16, 1979 and was approved for visual flight rules (VFR) use on December 20, 1979. Helicopter deliveries began on January 16, 1980. The FAA approved the 222 for single-pilot instrument flight rules (IFR) operation on May 15, 1980.

Improved versions

The more powerful Bell 222B was introduced in 1982 with a larger diameter main rotor. The 222B-based Bell 222UT Utility Twin, with skid landing gear, was introduced in 1983.

A development of the 222 is the Bell 230, with the 222's LTS 101 engines replaced by two Allison 250 turboshafts, plus other refinements. A converted 222 first flew as the prototype 230 on August 12, 1991. Transport Canada awarded certification in March 1992, and the first production 230 was delivered that November. The 230 had optional skid or wheel undercarriage. Production ended in 1995 with 38 having been built, being replaced in Bell's lineup by the stretched, more powerful Bell 430.

Design

The design includes two main rotor blades of stainless-steel-fiberglass construction and rotor hub with elastomeric bearings, which are lubricant free. Its cabin holds a maximum of ten persons with one-two pilots and eight-nine passengers. Seating configurations include standard seating for a pilot and seven passengers; or executive seating with one-two pilots and seating for five-six. The Bell 222 and 230 are usually flown single-pilot (optional dual controls are available), and can be configured for corporate/executive, EMS or utility transport missions.

The Bell 222 helicopter operates using two Lycoming/Honeywell LTS101-650 turboshaft engines, each capable of 592 shaft horsepower. Subsequent models of the 222 series received enhancements, including more potent engines. The engines achieve their rated output at 9,598 revolutions per minute. Power is transferred from the engines to the transmission via two separate driveshafts. Distinctively, the LTS engines of the Bell 222 feature exhaust stacks positioned at the engines' rear, contrasting with the Bell 230's Allison engines, where exhaust stacks are placed higher on the cowling. Fuel is stored in three tanks, one in the fuselage and one in each sponson. The main rear landing gear retracts into the sponsons.

The Bell 222's rotor systems include:

Two-blade, semi-rigid high-kinetic energy main rotor with preconing and underslinging. The rotor head incorporates elastomeric bearings for hub springs, and flapping and pitch change bearings. The system is similar in design to that used by the AH-1 Cobra. Rotor speed at 100% engine speed is 348 RPM.

All series models incorporate a pusher-type two-bladed tail rotor mounted on the left side of the tailboom, turning at 3396 RPM.

Variants

Bell 222 

The original Model 222, sometimes unofficially called a Bell 222A to distinguish it from the Bell 222B. It was powered by two (461 kW takeoff rated, 441 kW max continuous rated) Honeywell (formerly Lycoming) LTS-101-650C-3 turboshafts.

Bell 222B 

In 1982 the 222 was given a power upgrade (two Honeywell (formerly Lycoming) LTS-101-750Cs with takeoff rating of 505 kW each), a larger main rotor, and was renamed the Bell 222B.

Bell 222B Executive 

This model had improved systems and a luxury interior.

Bell 222UT 

A 222B variant with skids, introduced in 1983. The lack of retractable landing gear allowed for larger auxiliary fuel tanks.

Bell D-292 

The Advanced Composite Airframe Program (ACAP) was a 1985 all-composite LHX proof-of-concept project. The Bell D-292 used the Avco Lycoming engines, transmission, two-bladed main and tail rotors, tailboom, vertical fin, and rotor pylon of the 222. The D-292 had a new composite airframe.

Bell 230 

In 1991 the 222B design was updated, given more powerful engine versions, and renamed the Bell 230. Production ended in 1995.

Bell 230 Executive

Executive transport version.

Bell 230 Utility

Utility transport version.

Bell 230 EMS

Air ambulance version, equipped with one or two stretchers.

Bell 222SP 

During the 1990s, some Bell 222s were modified with the 222B's engines and 230's Allison 250-C30G engines for improved single engine (engine-out) performance, and redesignated as 222SPs.

Bell 430 

In 1995 the Bell 430, a stretched 230 (adding another seating row), was launched, with more powerful engines and a four-blade main rotor.

Operators

The Bell 222 has seen service with a large number of civil operators, but only limited military service.

 Albania

Government of Albania (crashed in 2006)

 United States

Petroleum Helicopters International

Specifications

Sources: Airliners.net, Helicopterdirect, Others

Notable appearances in media

The Bell 222 is widely known from the television series Airwolf, where a modified 222A was featured. Bell 222s have also made a variety of background appearances in film, television, and computer games.