Our Craft

The Bell 407 was introduced in 1996 and is powered by a single Rolls Royce turbine engine. It uses four composite rotor blades mounted to the main rotor hub assembly that are interchangeable. It is a soft-in-plane flex beam system with elastomeric bearings which allow the blades to turn around the pitch access or feather and reduce vibrations

The Bell 407 carries up to 126 gallons of Jet-A fuel located in two interconnected fuel tanks. The main tank holds 91 gallons located under the rear bench seat and the forward tank holds 35 gallons under the rear facing passenger seats.

The four-bladed light helicopter has carbon fibre side body panels with close tolerance fit carbon fibre doors that feature easy opening and slam closing.

The four-bladed, all-composite main rotor, diameter 10.67m, is of a similar design to that of the OH-58D Kiowa helicopter. It is installed with a soft-mount pylon isolation system providing quiet and comfortable flight characteristics for the crew and passengers.

Helicopter cockpit

The cockpit is ergonomically designed with two crew seats. The flight deck is fitted with a twist grip throttle collective and Northrop Grumman (Litton) active matrix liquid crystal displays.

The helicopter is fitted with a Honeywell Bendix / King avionics suite with a KR 87 automatic direction finder, KLN 89B global positioning system, KCS 55A compass and emergency locator transponder through Bell and an automatic flight control system, the SFIM PA-85T AFCS,

The electronic flight instrument system (EFIS) has flat panel displays, real-time 3D terrain and highway-in-the-sky (HITS) navigation, class-B helicopter terrain awareness / warning system (TAWS), dual embedded flight management system (FMS), integrated global positioning system / wide area augmentation system (GPS-WAAS), digital flight recording, solid-state air data computer and a strap-down attitude heading reference system (AHRS). The system includes an engine indication and crew alerting system (EICAS) display.

The modern ICDS system comprises AHRS, 10in Sagem ICDS displays, Garmin global navigation system 530 interfaces integrated caution advisory system and engine display.

Cabin configurations

The cockpit is ergonomically designed with two crew seats. The flight deck is fitted with a twist grip throttle collective and Northrop Grumman (Litton) active matrix liquid crystal displays.

The modern ICDS system comprises AHRS, 10in Sagem ICDS displays, Garmin global navigation system 530 interfaces integrated caution advisory system and engine displayThe cabin is configured to suit the customer's specifications and comfortably accommodates five passengers. A standard configuration has two rearward and three forward facing seats. The helicopter carries a maximum payload of 1,089kg using the standard gross weight of 2,268kg, and carries 1,171kg at the alternative gross weight of 2,381kg (flying at gross weights above 2,268kg may result in a reduced take-off and landing envelope). The baggage compartment has a capacity of 0.45m.

The large cabin accommodates a stretcher patient and medical attendants. The starboard door is 0.91m wide and the standard bi-folding 1.55m-wide door on the port side gives fast and easy access Rolls-Royce turboshaft engine.

The Bell 407 helicopter is fitted with a Rolls-Royce 250-C47B turboshaft engine with FADEC, providing main transmission power ratings of up to 606kW takeoff power and 522kW maximum continuous power. This delivers a better spread with engine power to give improved high and hot capability.

Performance:

The Bell 407 can fly at an altitude of 5,370m with range of 612km. The maximum and cruise speeds are 259km/h and 224km/h respectively. The service ceiling is 5,698m.

The maximum take-off weight of the Bell 407 helicopter is 2,268kg with internal load and 2,722kg with external load. The endurance of the helicopter is four hours 12 minutes with standard maximum gross weight and four hours six minutes with alternative maximum gross weight.

Optional features of The Virginia Beach Air Ambulance include:

High Skids
Provide a greater ground clearance (approximately 8.75 inches).

Dual Controls

Adds a cyclic and collective stick as well as anti-torque pedals to the front left seat. This allows for pilot training or a two man flight crew. These controls will be removed during medevac operations.

Night Vision Capability

Instrument panel light configured to support Night Vision Goggle use by pilots.

Wire Strike Protection System

Located on the front of the helicopter with two cutting wedges that deflect and cut wires to protect the aircraft. Has been tested at speeds as low as 5 mph and works on wires up to 15,000 pound tension strength wire.

High Visibility Rotor Blades

Top blade surfaces are painted white and International orange in alternating bands.

FLIR