Bell 214B1 Big Lifter

Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: Bell Model: 214B1. Nickname: Big Lifter
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Helicopter
> FAA Category and Class: Rotorcraft/Helicopter
> Engine Description: Single Lycoming LTC4B‑8D turboshaft engine

Aircraft Experience
> As of: 11/5/2024
> Number of Hours Flown: 2.2
> Number of Times Flown: 3
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: UH-1, Bell 214A, 214B

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 174
> Date First Flown: 11/17/2015
> Location First Flown: Red Bluff, CA (KRBL)
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: John McDermott, PJ Helicopters (Paul Bernado, FAA FTE)

Recollections: The Bell 214B1 has, to my eye, a HUGE single engine.  It’s a 2930 shp Lycoming and the blades have a really wide chord.  I was familiar with the UH-1 Huey from the military but the 214’s engine and rotor system were really a sight to see.

I flew this Helo on a firefighting tank project.  The applicant installed a big tank on the underside of the helicopter, with a hose for water pickup from lakes, rivers, etc. For our testing, California had a “no water pickup” rule (except for actual fires) so we had to use a bucket, which you can see in the picture.

Our testing consisted of a number of partial and full water drops at various speeds and rates of descent, to make sure the handling qualities were suitable and there was no hazardous impingement of the water onto any part of the helo or its rotor systems.  

As someone who did NOT have an operational background in fighting fires (with a fixed or rotary wing aircraft), this project was a wonderful learning opportunity.