Bell 407
Bell 407 – The Modern Evolution of the Legendary LongRanger
The Bell 407 is a single-engine, four-blade civil utility helicopter derived from the proven Bell 206L-4 LongRanger. It replaces the LongRanger’s two-blade teetering rotor with the advanced four-blade, soft-in-plane, rigid rotor system originally developed for the U.S. Army’s OH-58D Kiowa Warrior. Featuring a maintenance-free composite hub and blades with no life limits, this rotor delivers superior performance, reduced vibration, and an exceptionally smooth, quiet ride.
Widely trusted for corporate/VIP transport, offshore oil support, air ambulance (EMS), law enforcement, electronic news gathering (ENG), and aerial filming, the Bell 407 sets the standard in the light single-engine class.Key
Upgrades Over the LongRanger
- Four-blade composite rotor – Dramatically lower noise and vibration, higher speed, and better hover performance
- Wider fuselage – 8 inches (18 cm) broader cabin with 35% larger windows for greater comfort and visibility
- More powerful engine – Rolls-Royce 250-C47B turboshaft (820 shp) provides increased payload, hotter/higher capability, and faster cruise
- Composite carbon-fiber tailboom – Lighter, stronger, and corrosion-resistant
- Spacious cabin – Standard configuration: 2 crew + 5 passengers (7 total) with generous headroom and legroom
Why Operators Choose the Bell 407
- Unmatched combination of performance, reliability, and passenger comfort
- Intuitive Garmin G1000H NXi glass cockpit (standard on newer 407GXi) with synthetic vision and autopilot options
- Lowest direct operating costs in its class
- Simple, convenient maintenance backed by Bell’s global support network
- Exceptional value – both new and on the pre-owned market
Whether you’re flying executives, saving lives, patrolling coastlines, or capturing cinematic footage, the Bell 407 delivers the perfect balance of capability, refinement, and economy that keeps customers returning generation after generation.
Bell 407 Key Advantages & Features
- Quietest and smoothest single-engine helicopter in its class (four-blade rotor + composite tailboom)
- FADEC-controlled engine – no manual mixture or throttle correlation
- Exceptional hot-and-high performance (regularly operates above 12,000 ft in summer conditions)
- Large cabin with club seating, 35% bigger windows than LongRanger
- Very low vibration – ideal for aerial filming and VIP transport
- Simple 500-hour inspection intervals; worldwide Rolls-Royce M250 support
- Easily reconfigured for EMS, law enforcement, utility, or offshore
Bell 407 – Current Production Models
| Specification | Bell 407GXi (Current Model) | Bell 407GXP (Previous, still widely flown) |
|---|
| Seats | 1–2 pilots + 5–6 passengers (7 total) | Same |
| Engine | 1 × Rolls-Royce 250-C47B (820 shp, FADEC) | Same |
| Main Rotor | 4-blade, soft-in-plane, composite hub & blades (no life limit) | Same |
| Main Rotor Diameter | 35 ft (10.67 m) | Same |
| Length Overall | 41 ft 8 in (12.7 m) | Same |
| Max Gross Weight | 6,000 lb (2,722 kg) internal load / 6,750 lb with external cargo | 5,250 lb internal / 6,000 lb external |
| Standard Empty Weight | ≈ 2,770 lb (1,256 kg) | ≈ 2,700 lb |
| Useful Load | ≈ 3,230 lb (1,465 kg) | ≈ 2,550 lb |
| Max Cruise Speed | 133–137 kt (246–254 km/h) | 130–133 kt |
| Range (standard fuel, no reserves) | 337 nm (624 km) | 330 nm |
| Hover Ceiling IGE (MGW) | 12,900 ft (hot day) | 10,800 ft |
| Service Ceiling | 20,000+ ft | 18,700 ft |
| Fuel Capacity (usable) | 127 US gal (481 L) + optional aux tanks | Same |
| Avionics (standard) | Garmin G1000H NXi dual-screen glass cockpit with synthetic vision, HTAWS, autopilot (3-axis Genesys HeliSAS standard) | Garmin G1000H or analog/hybrid panel (varies) |
| New Price (2025) | ≈ US$ 3.4–3.8 million (depending on options) | Production ended ~2020 |
| Used Price Range | 407GXi (2020–2024): $2.9M–$3.6M 407GXP (2015–2020): $2.1M–$2.8M | — |
The Bell 407GXi remains in full production in 2025 and is widely regarded as the most advanced, refined, and capable single-engine helicopter on the market — the direct successor to the legendary Bell 206/LongRanger family.