Bell

[Vertical Mag]

Bell is officially launching the 210 Model at HAI. With the hundreds (if not thousands) of Hueys basking in the desert Bell has decided to start rebuilding (probably in Texas) and certifying them commercially. They expect commercial certification next year. They say they will have uprated engines, but not sure if this means new engines or not???

Bell will also be announcing the go-ahead of an IFR version of the 427, and project MAPL – a five seat, single engine Bell 351 or eight seat, twin engine Bell 382 – both have fan-in-fin anti-torque system.

I guess Bell is finally coming out of hibernation! :cold:

 

[skullcap]

That would be great, your joking right? Where'd they come up with those numbers, "351".

Have heard about the 210, these type of projects would be exciting, can't wait to hear more.

But, your joking though, right?
Maybe I'm joking, no maybe too much rummmmm, again.

 

[amodao]

I guess they can't build anything but aircraft based on 40 year old airframes. No need for a design department. Maybe they should just copy french/german helicopters directly(nice blueprint), they could rebadge the technology just like Chrysler does with M-B and sell them in the states as Bells.
What the endurance of the 427? I heard it was 1 hour 20 min with full fuel.
We won't be seeing any of these types in Canada for quite a few years as the prices are out of reach of most operators here.

 

[Vertical Mag]

No, I'm not joking. These are the model numbers Bell will be using.

 

[amodao]

I guess I crossed the line with my comments. I didn't mean to offend anyone!
I would like to apologize to all the Bell people out there. I will suspend myself for 3 weeks.

 

[Randy_G]

Ned, check out this article on the 210. A brief quote from the article.

The 210 is built with the airframe of a retired UH-1 Huey, but other than that, it is an entirely new aircraft, Fitzgerald said. “We don’t use overhauled or refurbished parts. They’re all new.

With an Army-provided airframe and approximately $3 million, the service will get a virtually new aircraft in the 210, certified by the Federal Aviation Administration for the next 20 years, Fitzgerald said. The 210 comes with a full new-aircraft warranty.

Operating and service costs will be 42 percent or less of those for today’s Huey, and flight hour costs will be $535, compared to $835 per flight hour for today’s Huey or $2,199 per flight hour for a Black Hawk. The 210’s common flight characteristics with the Huey make it “a natural fit†for those organizations who continue to fly the Huey, Fitzgerald said.â€

Last I had heard about the project was the engine choice was for the T-53-L-703, but Bell was also considering offering the PWC PT-6-67D.

Cheers

 

[Pitch Link]

Goodmorning All,
I seem to remember an article last year ( possibly Helicopters ) saying that Bell would be launching the 210 at the 2003 HAI. Was I wrong or was the launch date defered 12 months?

 

[Vertical Mag]

You're right Pitch Link. I wrote about it when I used to be there, but, the project was put on hold.

As far as interest in the 210...apparently there is much interest from Canadian operators! If I recall I think the price range is in the $4 or 5 million???

 

[skullcap]

Hey Randy G;

Maybe the OMNR should consider these!

Sorry, will put the sharp stick away now!

 

[Heli Ops]

Randy - Had dinner with Mike Redenbaugh and Rock Rosenjack from Bell at Asian Aerospace in Singapore last week and they have some great things planned.

Was sworn to secrecy but lets just say you are going to see Bell start chipping away at Eurocopters share in the North American marketplace.

Ask them at Heli Expo what the little E to B badge is all about.

Heli Ops :groove:

 

[Randy_G]

Maybe they should. Now this is a rumour, but I heard from a friend, of a friend's, sister's, brother's, cousin's, friend's, hairdresser that the OMNR was thinking of getting 1,000 R-22's with belly tanks, and are going to replace all contract helicopters, and CL-415s. 😉 In fact here's an artists rendering of what they might look like.

Now the same person also said that they might be looking at 5 Mil Mi26's, with all Russian crews, & Russian maintenance. 😉 😛 Of course I might have heard wrong too. 😀 🙄

Cheers

Ned, that 210 has had my interest since I heard about it, hope they finally do something with it. It would be great if Bell started to design something new. EC has great products, but a little competition is good, and makes each one bring out better stuff.

 

[MagSeal]

I'll agree with Randy, if this is true, increased competition will obviously open up the skies to better things. I do hope and pray that whatever they are building isn't just another jetranger knock-off. I'll be so disappointed. :down:
And whatever they do, the industry in canada better be ready to accept more new aircraft. As it is, it's pitiful. Even if you had the best aircraft hands down, who's going to buy it?

 

[Vertical Mag]

I noticed that there was mention made in this thread concerning OMNR. I did find out from high up in the chain at OMNR that the rumor about them acquiring Sikorsky Firehawks is simply just that, a rumor.

 

[MagSeal]

probably started by him....

It was likely one of those rumours you start yourself, and sit back and wait and see what the rumour will have changed to by the time it gets back to you.

 

[Randy_G]

Mag I wish I had started that rumour. There was talk of them investigating the a/c, along with other types. That was as far as they had gotten when I had last talked to someone who knew anything about this.

Cheers