Modern Helicopters - The Bell 430

The Bell 430 was originally developed and marketedas options.
as a corporate shuttle. Its sleek lines were thoughtFor EMS missions the Bell 430 has enough space for
to be very attractive to corporate executives andtwo litters, plus an additional 4 seats for medical
flight departments. Today the 430 can be foundpersonnel. It can be installed with a larger litter door.
performing a number of missions including EMS, LawThe 430 comes with a retractable searchlight and
enforcement, off-shore oil support, law enforcement,there's space for additional medical equipment in a
homeland security to name a few.storage area.
The Bell 430 is a stretched version of the Bell 230.For law enforcement missions the Bell can be
Among the many improvements that the 430equipped with up to 11 seats though most operators
possesses the greatest is a four bladed hinge less,vie for a mix of seats and cargo space. An optional
bearingless, main rotor which reduces moving partssliding door is available but the standard wide opening
thus reducing maintenance demands, a fuselagedoors allow for easy loading of people and
stretched by 1 and ½ inches, more powerfulequipment. The Bell 430 is also available with an
engines, the option of a glass cockpit, and the choiceexternal cargo hook rated at 3500 lbs.
of skids or wheels for landing gear. The 430 alsoThe corporate layout has a number of different base
offers energy absorbing crew seats, rupture resistantconfigurations including six, eight or ten seats in either
fuel cells, and self sealing break away fuel fittings.standard or club (seats facing each other)
The 430 had its first flight in October, 1994 and wentconfigurations. As with most corporate aircraft the
into full scale production in 1996.interior can be done in a number of ways and will
The Bell 430 is powered by two FADEC (fullinclude options that the owner desires. Some of
authority digital engine control) equipped, Rolls Roycethese options could be satellite phones, deep stitch
250-C40B turbo shaft engines rated at 780 SHPlather seats, carpeting, cabinets, privacy screens,
(shaft horsepower) each. The fuel tank is located intables etc.
the sponsons.The helicopter can be flown by one or two pilots. If
The interior of the Bell 430 is different depending onit's a one pilot operation than the extra seat in the
what mission the helicopter is intended performing. Incockpit can be used for a passenger. The maximum
all versions, the cockpit is equipped with a Honeywellcruising speed is 160 mph. The Bell 430 has a
Automatic Flight Control System. A Rogerson-Kratosmaximum range of 350 miles.
glass cockpit and GPS navigation system are available