Bell Helicopter 407

Single Rotorcraft

The Bell 407 is a single-engine light utility helicopter that became one of the most successful civil rotorcraft designs of the 1990s, combining proven Bell dynamics with a modern four-blade composite rotor system. Introduced in 1996 as an evolution of the venerable Bell 206L LongRanger, the 407 retained the earlier model's reliable Rolls-Royce 250 turboshaft engine while incorporating a wider cabin, improved performance, and significantly reduced vibration through its soft-in-plane rotor hub. The type quickly found favor with law enforcement agencies, emergency medical services, corporate operators, and utility companies worldwide, offering a practical balance of speed, payload, and operating economics in the seven-seat class. Powered by a single Rolls-Royce 250-C47B turboshaft producing 813 shaft horsepower, the Bell 407 cruises at approximately 120 knots with a maximum speed of 133 knots and a never-exceed velocity of 140 knots. Its maximum gross weight of 5,250 pounds allows for a useful load around 2,000 pounds depending on configuration, while the composite four-blade main rotor provides exceptional smoothness and reduced maintenance compared to earlier semi-rigid designs. The helicopter's spacious cabin accommodates a pilot and up to six passengers, though five-passenger configurations are more common in utility and law enforcement roles where equipment and fuel loads are prioritized. The 407's versatility has made it a mainstay in public service aviation, particularly for sheriff's departments, police air support units, and county emergency response teams across North America. Its combination of single-pilot IFR capability, external cargo hook capacity, and relatively modest operating costs has sustained production for nearly three decades, with over 1,500 delivered worldwide. SkyMeter has tracked flights across airframes and operators, with the largest observed operator.