Bell 427 Helicopter FAA Initial type training
 

Hello everyone, where in the USA can i do the FAA Initial type rating on the Bell 427 Helicopter? Secondly, under the FAA Regulations for type rating, it is classified under what type name? Thanks

Is there a requirement for a type rating for the 427? I'm not very au fait with the FAA regs but isn't it below the weight requirement for a type rating. More than happy to be corrected as I'm interested to know

There is no type rating below 12500lbs.

As of this year there are no 427 available for training in the US. We tried.

Thanx, my company has a leased Bell 427 Helicopter on the Canadian registration. We are seeking to train a pair of crew. Is there any EASA sim facility in Europe for the Bell 427? In the USA, how do operators of the Bell 427 train their crew?

So you mean like their fixed wing cousins, there are no type ratings for choppers under 5700kg? Am just knowing this all these years. So how is initial training carried out then? On the Helicopter i guess and no endorsement on the FAA certificate?

It's simple. Under the Rotorcraft category there is a helicopter class rating. You can fly any helicopter covered by the helicopter class rating, which is any helicopter less than 5700 kg. It matters squat whether it's an R22 or an S76, they are all covered under the helicopter class rating by virtue of their weight.

Bad example, the R22 and R44 are not.

Yeah I know, the SFAR applies, but for simplicity and the benefit of the layman observer the underlying principal applies.

427 is a bit of a rare machine.

How many in existence - 75?

Not one of Bells shining moments - 2 engined 407?

I know a very experienced 427 C&T pilot in Europe who may be able to help, providing he is able to under your local rules.

Longhorn Helicopters purchased the 427 simulator from Bell and I believe it is still operational. You can find them right here: https://www.longhornhelicopters.com

They would be a good place to start. I personally know a few 427 instructors from my time at Bell, however as far as I know there is no access to an actual airframe.

The only operator that I can think of in the US that operates a 427 is the Salt River Project in Arizona (?). I believe they do all their training in house.

Last time i saw that sim it was in Denton and absolutely not working.

So no functional bell 427 sim in the FAA land? How about EASA land, any sim in Europe?

Thanx Vaq. I tried opening the link to the website but it simply times out. Any phone number to reach them?

Thanx BigMike, i will pm you shortly

Try these:

817 625 5705

[email protected]

If that doesn't work, then I have other means of making contact.

Just 0.02 worth, the FAA's NSP does not list an approved FSTD for the 427.
https://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/nsp/data_lists/

Here in Auckland there are either 2 or 3 Bell 427s. One at Heletranz in their hangar and one at Inflite. Maybe they are worth a shot.

There’s a 427 in Linden NJ at HeliNY. Worth a shot?

88 in total built. Did way better than the 230 at 38 and barely worse than the 430 at 129. The 429 was to take over and is at 340 so far, which is not far from the combined numbers between the 206LT/Gemini, 222,230 and 430