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Bell 407

Passengers, engines, size and weight of the Bell 407, and what they mean for a private landing site.

Information only, not legal advice. The pilot in command has the final say on whether a landing is safe, and can decline a site on the day, even after it was agreed. Operators, insurers and the landowner may ask for more than anything described here. Check the official sources linked on this page.

At a glance

6passengers (maximum figure)
2,268 kgmaximum take-off weight
10.66 mmain rotor diameter
singleengine layout

Bell 407 / 407GXi is made by Bell Textron / Bell Flight. Whether it is used on UK charter flights: Verify. The figures below are the manufacturer’s or the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) type-certificate data; each is tagged verified on the cited document or Verify.

The figures

ItemFigure
Engines1 x Rolls-Royce 250-C47E/4 turboshaft (862 shp take-off, 761 shp max continuous) (407GXi)
Passengers (maximum, not a typical charter layout)6 (407GXi)
Typical cruise speed133 kt (407GXi)
Range337 nm (407GXi)
Main rotor diameter10.66 m (407)
Overall length, rotors turningnot confirmed Verify
Overall height3.1 m (407)
Maximum take-off weight2268 kg (407 / 407GXi standard (2,381 kg optional, 2,722 kg external load per Bell page))

Figures vary by variant and weight option. Passenger numbers are a manufacturer or EASA maximum; VIP layouts carry fewer. Overall length with the rotors turning is the figure used to size a landing area and was found only for some types.

What this means for a private landing site

Single or twin. This is single-engine. UK guidance says helicopters must use Performance Class 1 to operate in congested areas, and that single-engine helicopters under Part CAT cannot use congested-area sites (CAP 3043, 3.3). Read in the source

Sites in this guide that may be big enough

These airfields state a helicopter or visitor policy on their own websites and, in open data (OurAirports), have a runway at least 16 m long and wide (1.5 times the rotor diameter, which is the lowest the area could be). This is size only. It does not mean the airfield accepts this type: contact it first.

See also all heliports, airfields and venues. Heliport sizes are not in open data.

More helicopter types

Questions and answers

How many passengers does the Bell 407 carry?

The maximum figure we could verify is 6 (passengers (1 pilot + 6 standard seating)). A charter cabin usually has fewer seats.

How much space does a Bell 407 need to land?

It depends on the helicopter’s overall size with the rotors turning (the main rotor alone is 10.66 m across), the surface, the obstacles and the operator’s own rules. UK guidance for pleasure-flying and feeder sites asks for a landing and take-off area at least 1.5D wide. The pilot in command decides on the day.

Is the Bell 407 single or twin-engine?

It is single-engine (1 x Rolls-Royce 250-C47E/4 turboshaft (862 shp take-off, 761 shp max continuous)).

How heavy is a Bell 407?

Maximum take-off weight is 2,268 kg (407 / 407GXi standard (2,381 kg optional, 2,722 kg external load per Bell page)), per Bell 407 page; EASA TCDS IM.R.512 agrees for '407' 2,268 kg.

Official sources

Where a line is tagged Verify we could not read the primary text, or the source does not state it. Treat it as unconfirmed until you have checked.