1968 BELL 47G 3B 1




    Aircraft Summary


    General

    Year
    1968
    Manufacturer
    BELL
    Model
    47G-3B-1
    Condition
    Used
    FlightRules
    VFR
    Description
    I think I can claim to be the only professional helicopter salesperson who can say they’ve flown a 47G-3B-1 for a living... and it doesn’t feel that long ago! In the late ’90s, eking out a living in the Australian outback, my friends and I cut our teeth doing tourism and charter work in Bell 47s and KH1 variants. We didn’t know any better, but these days, I doubt the youngsters would be fearless enough to fly such an analogue aircraft. As the genus of the species “helicopter,” the Bell 47 comes with no engine governor, no trim system, no SCAS, and certainly no air conditioning—and you don’t really need them, since I can’t recall ever flying one with the doors on, even in the rain. The Bell 47 builds the best helicopter pilots, with all your senses engaged and your brain and left hand constantly modulating the engine to keep rotor RPM in the green. Nothing, except perhaps a Brantly B2 (and who in their right mind would be seen in that?), will teach you more about flying helicopters and the intricate relationship between power available, RRPM, and airspeed than a Bell 47. You’ll learn to love the smell of AVGAS again, and later in life, a whiff of 100LL will bring back memories of trying to outrun trucks on the highway. A Bell 47 gives you more visibility than an F-16, and you can screw your neck around to inspect the stab bar and linkages while on the fly. The only negative is that your bald spot will remind you if you forget your hat in the truck. Flying a Bell 47 is a joy—it’s engaging, raw, and feels like REAL flying. It will make you a superb pilot, able to transition into any other aircraft with a solid understanding of what really makes helicopters work.

    Airframe

    Total Time
    10125
    Year Robinson Overhaul Completed
    1968
    Airframe Notes
    Stripped and painted in 2006. The paint looks the same today as it did when it was done.

    Rotor

    Main Rotor Blade Time Remaining
    1080
    Main Rotor Hub Time Remaining
    465
    Main Rotor Gearbox Time Remaining
    600
    Anti-Torque System
    Tail Rotor
    Tail Rotor Blade Time Remaining
    1902
    Tail Rotor Gearbox Time Remaining
    678

    Engine

    Engine Manufacturer
    LYCOMING
    Engine Horsepower
    280 HP
    Engine Time
    150
    Engine Time Since
    SMOH
    Engine Notes
    150 hours TSO Model: Lycoming VO-540-B1B (VO-540 series) Type: 6-cylinder, air-cooled, horizontally-opposed, carbureted piston engine

    Modifications/Conversions

    Modifications/Conversions
    Texas Sprag Mount Upgraded Jasco Alternator Airwolf External Oil Filter Kit

    Avionics

    Flight Deck Manufacturer
    GARMIN
    Avionics/Radios
    Garmin VHF Radio Garmin Transponder Moving Map.

    Additional Equipment

    Dual Controls
    Yes
    Additional Equipment
    Dual Controls

    Exterior

    Year Painted
    2006
    Exterior Notes
    Surprisingly immaculate... not that there is much cabin to repaint!

    Interior

    Year Interior
    2006
    Configuration
    Passenger
    Number of Seats
    3
    Bubble Windows
    Yes
    Interior Notes
    Leather seats in good condition with no money needed to be spent. Coin Matt flooring

    Inspection Status

    Inspection Status
    Undergoing Annual Inspection
    Airworthy
    Yes


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