Photograph:
Bell 230 N230TB at Avalon, VIC in March 1995 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Utility helicopter
Power Plant:
Two 690 kw (925 shp) Allison C250-C30G/2 turboshafts
Specifications:
- Rotor diameter: 12.8 m (42 ft)
- Overall length: 15.32 m (50 ft 3 in)
- Fuselage length: 12.78 m (41 ft 10 in)
- Max speed: 267 km/h (164 mph)
- Rate of climb: 488 m/min (1,600 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 4,724 m (15,500 ft)
- Range at sea level: 713 km (443 miles)
- Fuel capacity: 935 litres (206 Imp gals)
- Empty weight: 2,268 kg (5,000 lb)
- Loaded weight: 3,810 kg (8,400 lb)
- Max hook load limit: 1,270 kg (2,800 lb)
History:
The Bell 230 was a utility helicopter designed with simplicity, low cost, low maintenance and reliability in mind, was introduced to the Bell range of helicopters in 1991 and was a development of the Bell 222B series. It received some re-design over the earlier model and was fitted with new more powerful engines. Main distinguishing feature from the earlier model was the placement of the engine exhausts higher on the cowling rather than to the rear.
The rotor system on the Model 230 was a two-blade, semi-rigid, high-kinetic energy type with pre-coning and under slinging. It incorporated elastomeric bearings for hub springs and flapping, and pitch change bearings. Similar in design to that on the Bell AH-1 Cobra, it had a rotor speed at 100% engine speed of 348 rpm. The tail rotor was a pusher type two-blade unit mounted at the end of the tailboom and turned at 3,396 rpm. The customer could choose either a skid or wheel undercarriage.
The Model 230 had two independent hydraulic systems to provide flight control boost, and was fitted with a 24 volt electrical system. This model was announced to the market in 1990 and first flight of the prototype was made on 12 August 1991, certification being received in 1992 and deliveries commencing also in that year.
Production continued for a few years until the Model 230 was replaced by the Model 430 in 1996. A total of 38 was completed with construction numbers 23001 to 23038. It was marketed as a utility transport for passenger transport, search-and-rescue (SAR), Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and surveillance roles. A cargo hook was available and the type was certificated for single pilot operation without stability augmentation.
First of the type seen in this region was Bell demonstrator N230TB displayed by Helitech at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon, VIC in March 1995. In early 2007 the Queensland RACQ CareFlight obtained a 1994 Model 230 from Namsfield Heliflight Inc in the USA for its day / night SPIFR operations to provide a twin-engine capability. This commenced operations from its Toowoomba base, this machine becoming VH-XCQ (c/n 23019 – ex N4UV, N230JP, C-GLZA), being operated by CareFlight at some stage. On 25 June 2007 the registration was changed to VH-XCW, the machine being owned by Rotor-Lift Pty Ltd of Rosny Park, TAS and was operated by Skyplan Aust Pty Ltd of Cambridge, TAS.