Bell 222
The Bell 222 became one of the most recognisable executive helicopters of the 1980s thanks to its sleek fuselage and retractable landing gear. It was the first light twin helicopter designed from the outset with retractable gear, reducing drag and giving it a distinctly aircraft-like profile. Television made it famous as the fictional Airwolf, although the real aircraft was widely used for corporate and emergency missions. Its pointed nose and skids-free silhouette remain unmistakable.
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Did you know?
The first light twin helicopter designed from the outset with retractable landing gear, giving it a sleek, skid-free profile.
Specifications
| Length | 13.7 m (45 ft) |
|---|---|
| Height | 3.6 m (12 ft) |
| Rotor diameter | 11.3 m (37 ft) |
| Maximum passengers | 8 |
| Persons on board | 8 |
| Crew | 2 |
| Maximum take-off weight | 3.7 t |
| Range | 300 NM (556 km) |
| Maximum speed | 150 kt (278 km/h) |
| Service ceiling | 15,000 ft (4,572 m) |
| Optimum ceiling | 10,000 ft (3,048 m) |
| Rate of climb | 1,730 ft/min (8.8 m/s) |
| Fuel capacity | 930 l |
| Engines | 2x Lycoming LTS101-650C |
Curated by CatchFlights from manufacturer documents, ICAO Doc 8643 and reference works; values are left out where no source could confirm them. Sources are listed on our credits page.
In CatchFlights
In CatchFlights the Bell 222 starts as a Rare catch. The tier is an editorial judgement of how special a sighting of this type is. The more often you catch it, the closer it moves to Common for you.
A catch counts for the manufacturer Bell, the 222 family and the model in your collection, and the daily Type Rating quiz asks about the types of each family.
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