The Bell 429 GlobalRanger is a light, twin-engine helicopter developed by Bell Helicopter and Korea Aerospace Industries. The first flight of the prototype took place on February 27, 2007, and the aircraft received type certification on July 1, 2009. The Bell 429 is capable of single-pilot IFR and Runway Category A operations.
The Bell 429 has a four-blade rotor system with soft-in-plane flex beams. The rotor blades are composite and have swept tips for reduced noise. The tail rotor is made by stacking two two-blade rotors set at uneven intervals (to form an X) for reduced noise. The combined cabin volume is 204 cu ft (5.78 m3) with a 130 cu ft (3.7 m3) passenger cabin and 74 cu ft (2.1 m3) baggage area, with a flat floor for patient loading. A set of rear clamshell doors under the tailboom is optional for easier patient loading in EMS operations.
The 429 has a glass cockpit with a three-axis autopilot (optional fourth axis kit) and flight director as standard. Standard landing gear are skids. A retractable wheel landing gear is optional and adds five knots to cruising speed. The helicopter is categorized as a single-pilot IFR Category A. It is capable of operating with one engine inoperative. The main transmission is rated for 5,000 hours between overhauls and the tail rotor gearbox is rated for 3,200 hours.
General characteristics
Crew: 1 pilot
Capacity: 7 passengers (six in passenger compartment; one beside pilot) / 2,755 lb (1,250 kg) payload
Length: 41 ft 8 in (12.70 m)
Height: 13 ft 3 in (4.04 m)
Cabin volume: 204 cu ft (5.78 m3)
Empty weight: 4,245 lb (1,925 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 7,000 lb (3,175 kg)
Fuel capacity: 215 US gal (179 imp gal; 814 L) usable with 40 US gal (33 imp gal; 151 L) auxiliary fuel
Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PW207D1 (or PW207D2 with fuel heater installed) turboshaft, 625 shp (466 kW) each maximum continuous
730 shp (544 kW) for take-off
Main rotor diameter: 36 ft (11 m)
Main rotor area: 1,018 sq ft (94.6 m2)
Blade section: – Narramore
Performance
Cruise speed: 150 kn (170 mph, 280 km/h)
Never exceed speed: 155 kn (178 mph, 287 km/h)
Range: 390 nmi (450 mi, 720 km)
Service ceiling: 20,000 ft (6,100 m)
Hover ceiling IGE: 14,130 ft (4,307 m)
Hover ceiling OGE: 11,280 ft (3,438 m)
