The 407HP is fitted with Honeywell’s HTS900 engine and is designed of operating in the hot and high environment of Papua New Guinea. Further, the light weight and high-performance capabilities of the engine allow power to increase while fuel consumption remains low. As an example, high altitude testing above 10,000 feet, has the aircraft lifting more than a standard B212 and close to double the standard 407.
Testing conducted by HNL to enable like-for-like comparison showed that the 407HP was superior to the standard Bell 407 in the following ways:
• Heavy lifting: With its increased lifting capacity, the 407HP was able to lift and move heavier parts of the drill rig, thus reducing any need for disassembly.
• Fuel capacity: The 407HP was able to go out with more fuel than a standard Bell 407 whilst lifting similar loads, consequently saving the ferry time/costs to refuel.
• Internal load: Because of its ability to land with a heavier internal load, the 407HP was able to carry out a food resupply in one trip instead of two.
General characteristics
- Crew: one pilot
- Capacity: six passengers
- Length: 39 ft 8 in (12.11 m)
- Rotor diameter: 33 ft 4 in (10.16 m)
- Height: 9 ft 4 in (2.83 m)
- Disc area: 872 ft2 (81.1 m2)
- Empty weight: 2,331 lb (1,057 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × HTS900 Turboshaft Engine
Performance
- Increased hot/high performance – When payload counts
- Load almost doubled at 11,300ft (density altitude 13,000 feet)
- Four drums lifted to 11,200ft instead of two with standard 407
- Additional fuel capacity saved ferry time and costs to refuel
- Maximum speed: 120 knots (222 km/h, 138 mph)
- Range: 374 nmi (430 mi, 693 km)
- Service ceiling: 13,500 ft (4,115 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,350 ft/min (6.9 m/s)
