Bell 214ST
| Bell 214ST | |
|---|---|
 |
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| A Bell 214ST of Helicopter Air Transport | |
| Role | medium-lift helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Bell Helicopter Textron |
| First flight | February 1977 |
| Introduction | 1982 |
| Primary users | Iraqi Army Venezuelan Air Force CHC Helicopter |
| Produced | 1979-1993[1] |
| Number built | 96[1] |
| Developed from | Bell 214 |
The Bell 214ST is a medium-lift, twin-engine helicopter descended from Bell Helicopter's ubiquitous UH-1 Huey series. Though it shares a type number with the somewhat-related Bell 214, the 214ST is larger and of quite different appearance.
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[edit] Design and development
The 214ST was originally developed as a military project from the Bell 214B BigLifter, specifically for production in Iran and the development by Bell was funded by the Iranian government.[2] The interim prototype was first flown in February 1977 in Texas,[3] with three conforming prototypes following in 1978.[4]
The overthrow of the Shah in 1979, lead Bell to change production plans and build the 214ST at their Dallas-Fort Worth facility instead and launch it as a civil helicopter, rather than a military one.[2] Manufacturing of production 214STs began is 1981. Type certification from the FAA and CAA for visual and instrument flight rules was awarded in 1982.[5] The military variant followed the civil one into production with helicopter deliveries commencing in 1982.[3]
The Bell 214ST included major design changes from the Bell 214. The Bell 214ST has a larger, stretched fuselage with seating for 16-18 passengers,[6][7] and two 1,625 shp (1,212 kW) GE CT7-2A engines.[8] The helicopter introduced some ground-breaking innovations for Bell, including, a one-hour run-dry transmission, fiberglass rotor blades, elastomeric rotorhead bearings and the option of either skid or wheeled landing gear.[2] The helicopter has a cockpit door and a large cabin door on each side. The 214ST has a capacity for fuel of 435 US gallons (1,650 L). An auxiliary fuel system could be added.[7]
The Model 214ST is the largest helicopter that has been built by Bell.[6] The ST was originally an acronym for "Stretched Twin", but was later changed to "Super Transporter".[6][8] Bell built a total of 96 214STs with production ending in 1993.[1]
The military operators included: Iraq (48),[9] Brunei (1), Peru (11), Thailand (9) and Venezuela (4).
The 214ST was replaced on the Mirabel plant production line by the smaller Bell 230.[3]
[edit] Operators
[edit] Military operators
Brunei - one delivered,[3] and in service with the Royal Brunei Air Force as of January 2012.[10]
Iraq - received 48 from 1984,[9] with none in military service in 2012.[10]
Peru - 11 received,[3] and three in use with the Peruvian Air Force as of January 2012.[10]
Thailand - nine delivered,[3] and three in operation with the Royal Thai Navy as of January 2012.[10]
Venezuela - four received,[3] with none in use in 2012.[10]
[edit] Civil operators
- CHC Helicopter - former operator[11]
- Helicopter Transport Services[12]
- Four delivered by 1987 [13]
- Bristow Helicopters - 3[14]
- British Caledonian Helicopters (later bought out by Bristow Helicopters)[5]
- Air Logistics (part of the Bristow Group)[14]
- Presidential Airways - (operated by AAR Airlift- 4[15]
- Evergreen Helicopters[16]
[edit] Specifications (214ST)
Data from International Directory of Civil Aircraft,[6] Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft[4]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1 or 2
- Capacity: Internal: 16 or 17 passengers or equivalent cargo; External: 8,000 lb (3,630 kg) sling load
- Length: 49 ft 4 in (15.03 m)
- Rotor diameter: 52 ft 0 in (15.85 m)
- Height: 15 ft 11 in (4.84 m)
- Disc area: 2,124 ft² (107.3 m²)
- Empty weight: 9,481 lb (4,300 kg)
- Max. takeoff weight: 17,500 lb (7,938 kg)
- Powerplant: 2 × General Electric CT7-2A turboshaft, 1,625 shp (1,215 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 143 knots (165 mph, 264 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 140 knots (161 mph, 259 km/h)
- Range: 435 nmi (500 mi, 858 km)
- Service ceiling: 10,400 ft (3,170 m; ceiling for hover in ground effect)
- Rate of climb: 1,780 ft/min (9.04 m/s)
[edit] See also
- Related development
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
[edit] References
- ^ a b c "Bell 214ST Supertransport" (subscription article). Jane's Helicopter Markets and Systems. Jane's Information Group, November 28, 2011.
- ^ a b c Apostolo, Giorgio. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Helicopters, p. 54. New York: Bonanza Books, 1984. ISBN 0-517-439352.
- ^ a b c d e f g Green, William, Observers Aircraft, p. 228. Frederick Warne Publishing, 1991. ISBN 0-7232-3697-6.
- ^ a b Donald, David, ed. "Bell Model 214ST". The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Barnes & Nobel Books, 1997. ISBN 0-7607-0592-5.
- ^ a b Pelletier, Alain J. Bell Aircraft Since 1935. US Naval Institute Press, 1992. ISBN 1557500568.
- ^ a b c d Frawley, Gerard. The International Directory of Civil Aircraft, 2003-2004, p. 44. Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd, 2003. ISBN 1-875671-58-7.
- ^ a b Lambert, M. "Bell 214ST". Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1990-91. Jane's Information Group, 1990. ISBN 0710609086. (subscription article)
- ^ a b Green, William. Observers Aircraft, p. 224. Frederick Warne Publishing, 1987. ISBN 0-7232-3458-2.
- ^ a b Timmerman, Kenneth R. The Death Lobby: How the West Armed Iraq. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1991.
- ^ a b c d e "World Military Aircraft Inventory". 2012 Aerospace. Aviation Week and Space Technology, January 2012.
- ^ a b CHC (2008). "Norway - Profile of Region". http://www.chc.ca/europe_norway.php. Retrieved 2009-09-29.[dead link]
- ^ Helicopter Transport Services (Canada) (2005). "124ST". http://www.htsc.ca/214st.html. Retrieved 2009-09-15.
- ^ Green, William: Observers Aircraft, p. 224. Frederick Warne Publishing, 1987. ISBN 0-7232-3458-2
- ^ a b Bristow Group (2006). "Fleet". http://www.bristowgroup.com/about/fleet.php. Retrieved 2009-09-29.
- ^ Bingo (Dost Banao) (September 2009). "Blackwater Worldwide (Xe Corp)". http://www.bingo.com.pk/blogs/blackwater-worldwide-xe-corp.html. Retrieved 2009-09-29.
- ^ Evergreen International Aviation (September 2009). "Evergreen Helicopters Fleet". http://www.evergreenaviation.com/EHI/fleet.html. Retrieved 2009-09-29.
[edit] External links
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