2013 SEPTEMBER Vol. 5 / No. 9 /
GA
55
you can play it back to your by
saying `say again' while applying
the intercom button, thus you can
hear the message a second time
through the helicopter's own system
without holding up a busy ATC.
The Bell 407 uses 50 galls
of avtur per hour, rather more
than the Bell 206. The Direct
Maintenance Costs for the
206L4 are U$283.52/hour and
the 407 are U$347.90/hour
Cost of a basic machine
is 2.1 million dollars and the
one I test flew with its extras
would apparently be around
$3.2 million dollars. It is also
possible to convert an older Bell
407 with analogue instruments
to the Garmin 1000HTM.
Bell 407GX Quiet Mode
The installation of the Quiet
Cruise Mode kit permits flight
operations at 92% Nr when
above 50 KIAS and 200 feet
AGL. Flyover noise level
is reduced by 3.8 dBA SEL
when in Quiet Cruise Mode.
The kit consists of an
electrical selector switch,
which can be found on the
collective, applicable CAS
messages and additional
marking on dual tachometer.
This means that all the pilot
has to do when making sure
that he is within the applicable
limitations, is switch on the
quiet mode switch (located on
the collective next to the landing
light switch) to `QUIET' mode
and the computer will reduce
fuel flow to obtain 92% Rotor
RPM. On the Nr indicator, a
magenta maker will appear at
92% and rotor speed will stop
at that setting. When he wants
to get rid of the quiet mode, he
returns the switch to the `Normal'
position and the rotor speed will
crank back up to 100% Nr.
Limitations applicable
to the operation:
Maximum gross weight: 5000 lbs;
Maximum aft longitudinal CG
location: 127 inches instead
of 129. Maximum lateral CG
location: limits reduced to -1.1
to 1.3 compared to -2.5 to 3.0.
Take Off weight increases (graph
included in relevant Flight
Manual Supplement). Minimum
indicated airspeed: 50 kts
Vne at 92% Nr: 100 KIAS;
Minimum height above ground:
200' (The Height velocity
curve changes since the rotor
speed is not at 100%. That
is why the minimum height
above ground is 200'.)
Maximum altitude: 6000'
Density altitude; Engine
torque: limited at 93.5%, which
corresponds to the Green area on
PSI (Power Situation Indicator)
gauge- 93.5% Torque. ·