Bell
Model 430
#

Photo: Robert Deering 10/6/2008
Orange County Convention Center (FA91)
 Orlando, Florida
The Bell 430 is a twin-engine light-medium helicopter built by Bell Helicopter. It is a stretched and more powerful development of the Bell 230, which, in turn, was based on the earlier Bell 222.

While developing the reengined Model 222 as the 230, Bell began preliminary design work on a stretched derivative with a four-bladed main rotor in 1991. The Bell 430 was formally launched in February 1992, with two prototypes modified from Bell 230s. The first of these flew in its new configuration on October 25, 1994, and the second prototype, featuring the full 430 avionics suite, first flew on December 19, 1994.

Production of the Bell 230 ended in August 1995, and 430 production began. The first 430 production aircraft was completed later that year. Canadian certification was awarded on February 23, 1996. Deliveries began in mid-1996.

On January 24, 2008, Bell announced plans to terminate production of its Model 430 after current order commitments are fulfilled in 2010.  Production ended after 136 helicopters were completed, with the last being delivered in May 2008.

Bell 230 and Bell 430 comparison
Model 230 430
Announced 1990 1991
First Flight August 12, 1991 October 25, 1994
Certified March 1992 February 23, 1996
Delivered November 1992 1996
Seats 2 (pilot & copilot) + 5–6 passengers 2 + 6–8
Height 11 ft 8 in (3.56 m) 12 ft 3 in (3.73 m)
Fuselage length 42 ft 3 in (12.88 m) 44 ft 1 in (13.44 m)
Rotor diameter 42 ft (12.80 m)
Length overall 50 ft 3 in (15.32 m)
Engine (2×) Allison 250C30G2 Rolls-Royce 250-C40B
Power (2×) 700 hp (520 kW) 783 hp (584 kW)
Max. speed 140 knots (161 mph, 260 km/h) 140 knots (161 mph, 260 km/h)
Climb rate 1,600 ft/min (8.13 m/s) 1,350 ft/min ( m/s)
Service ceiling 15,500 ft (4,724 m) 14,600 ft (4,450 m)
Hover ceiling 12,400 ft (3,780 m) 11,350 ft (3,459 m)
Fuel capacity 188+ US gal (710+ L) 188+ US gal (710+ L)
Range 378 nmi (434 mi, 700 km) 324 nmi (372 mi, 600 km)
Empty Weight 5,097 lb (2,312 kg) 5,305 lb (2,406 kg)
Maximum Takeoff Weight 8,400 lb (3,810 kg) 9,300 lb (4,218 kg)
Serial Numbers 23001 – 23038 49001 – 49123+

Source: Wikipedia