General Aviation

Bell 407

Manufacturer: BELL

The Bell 407 is a four‑blade, single‑engine civil utility helicopter derived from the Bell 206L‑4 LongRanger. It replaces the 206L‑4’s two‑blade rotor with a four‑blade, soft‑in‑plane rotor and composite hub developed for the U.S. Army’s OH‑58D Kiowa Warrior, giving it smoother flight and greater capacity.

Aircraft Facts

Type Key
bell-407
Class
General Aviation
Registry Count
372
Example Registration
N10LE

Specifications

Length
12.7 m / 41 ft
Height
3.56 m / 11 ft
Max Speed
260 km/h / 160 mph
Cruise Speed
246 km/h / 153 mph
Range
600 km / 324 nmi
Ceiling
5700 m / 18690 ft
First Flight
1995-06-29
Production Start
1995
Total Built
1600

Aircraft Overview

History

Bell started the New Light Aircraft program in 1993 to replace the Model 206 series. A 206L‑3 LongRanger was converted into the 407 demonstrator, first flown in 1994. The first prototype flew on 29 June 1995, and the first production aircraft on 10 November 1995. The helicopter received Canadian certification in February 1996 and FAA approval shortly after. Production began in 1996; 140 units were built in 1997. The 1,000th 407 was delivered on 15 June 2010, and by December 2017 more than 1,400 had flown. Production surpassed 1,600 by early 2023. The ARH‑70 and Bell 417 variants were cancelled, while the armed 407GT was introduced in 2013. In 2025 a Nagpur plant was announced to supply Indian Army and Air Force helicopters.

Design

The 407’s four‑blade rotor, derived from the OH‑58D, is composite and has an unlimited service life, giving a smoother ride. The fuselage is 8 inches wider than the 206L‑4, adding cabin space and 35 % larger windows. A more powerful Rolls‑Royce/Allison 250‑C47 turboshaft raises the MTOW, improving performance at high temperatures and altitudes. Standard seating holds a pilot and five passengers. The 407GX and 407GT models feature a Garmin G1000HTM glass cockpit, and the GT adds a Universal Weapons Pylon for armaments.

Variants

Bell 407 – civil utility. ARH‑70 – armed reconnaissance (canceled). Bell 417 – planned civil version of the ARH‑70 (canceled). 407 Light Observation – military reconnaissance. Eagle 407 HP – higher‑power version. MQ‑8C Fire Scout – unmanned cargo demonstrator. 407AH – armed civil‑certified. 407GX – glass‑cockpit upgrade. 407GT – armed version of the 407GX. 407GXP/GXi – marketing designations with Rolls‑Royce engines.

Operations

The Bell 407 serves civil operators worldwide—airlines, corporations, hospitals, and private owners—and military forces. Launch customers included Petroleum Helicopters International, Niagara Helicopters, and Greenland Air. The aircraft completed a record pole‑to‑pole circumnavigation in 2007. Iraq ordered 24 armed 407s in 2009; by 2013, 30 were in service against ISIS. Over 1,400 were operating by 2017.

Notable Facts

  • The first production Bell 407 flew on 10 November 1995.
  • The 1,000th Bell 407 was delivered on 15 June 2010.
  • By December 2017, more than 1,400 Bell 407s were operating worldwide.
  • Production surpassed 1,600 units by early 2023.
  • The 407GX model features a Garmin G1000HTM glass cockpit.
  • The 407GT armed version was introduced in 2013 and can carry machine guns, rockets, and anti‑armor missiles.
  • The 407’s four‑blade rotor is derived from the OH‑58D Kiowa Warrior.
  • The 407’s fuselage is 8 inches wider than the 206L‑4, providing 35 % larger windows.

Variants

  • 407- 372 registrations - Example N10LE

Machine-Readable Resources

Sources