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The Bell 407GX is a lightweight seven seat multi-role helicopter with a four blade main rotor and two blade tail
rotor, powered by a single turbine engine. Fitted with a Rolls Royce
(Allison) model 250-C47B engine with Chandler Evans EC-135 (FADEC) Fuel
Control System, the helicopter has a radius of 575 km. Based on the Bell Model 206 series, the Bell 407
concept is a result of the in 1993 started development work for a
replacement for the Bell JetRanger and LongRanger. The first Bell 407
helicopter was a Bell 206L3 LongRanger modified to the Bell 407 concept that
flew first as N407LR on 21 April 1994. Prototype / pre-production Bell 407
C-GFOS (c/n 52901) flew first on 29 June 1995, followed by C-FORS (c/n 52902) that flew first on 13 July 1995.
First production airframe C-FWQY (c/n 53001) flew 10 November 1995. Full rate production started after receiving the Transport Canada certification on 9
February 1996 and FAA certification on 23 February. First customer delivery was at the Heli-Expo, Dallas, in February 1996.
The Model 407GX was introduced in 2011. The Bell 407GX has an integrated glass flight deck that provides aircrews essential flight information at a
glance for greater situational awareness, improved operational capability and increased safety. Model 407 s/n 54300 and subsequent are fitted with
the Integrated Avionics System Garmin 1000H) and have the commercial designation of 407GX. Bell has delivered over 1100 Bell 407 helicopters to customers
worldwide.
The ICAO Aircraft Type Designator for the Bell 407 helicopters is B407 |
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Bell Helicopter 407GX s/n 54353 was built by Bell Helicopter Textron in Mirabel in Quebec, Canada, and tested as C-FOEP in July 2012.
In the USA registration N472TB was reserved for this helicopter by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. on 5 June 2012 and the Bell 407GX was
registered as N472TB from 27 July 2012 till 24 October 2012, when it was given as exported to Canada. On 20 November 2012, the helicopter
was registered C-FMLF in Canada with Gold Helicopter / Hélicoptère Gold, Montreal. On 21 November 2014, registration C-FLMF was cancelled
as exported to the US, where it on 25 November 2014 was registered N60GN with Austin Jet International in Austin, Texas. On 2 November 2015, ]
registration N60GN was cancelled as exported to Austria and the same month, the chopper was registered OE-XGN with Hubi-Fly Helikopterschule
in Bad Vöslau. In February 2017, registration OE-XGN was cancelled as exported to Germany and on 30 March 2017, the helicopter was registered
D-HANI with Heliteam Süd, Ingolstadt/Manching Air Base.
On 29 June 2018, the Bell 407GX D-HANI was seen at the helipad of the "Circuit
van Drenthe" near Assen in the Netherlands, being prepared as a camera helicopter. The next two days, Heliteam Süd operated their Bell
407GX D-HANI on broadcasting duties during the 88th Dutch TT. |
Luchtvaart déjà vu
