Bell 47 flyr og flyr......

Scott’s Scores Orders for Turbine Model 47 Helicopter

Scott’s-Bell 47’s (SB47) quest to put a revised edition of the iconic Bell 47 back into production is now a step closer. The Le Sueur, Minn.-based company recently received orders for 38 of its Rolls-Royce RR300-powered 47GT-6 helicopters from a diverse customer list, the majority of which are from authorized dealers for exports into Asia/Australasia. Scott’s acquired the type certificate from Bell for the Model 47 in 2009 and earlier this year announced its intention to restart production with a turbine-powered variant. The 47GT-6 has an initial target price of $820,000 and deliveries are anticipated to begin in 2016. Prototype first flight is scheduled for the fourth quarter next year. SB47 general manager Neil Marshall said the company plans to submit a final certification plan to the FAA later this month. Scott’s has also taken over factory support and refurbishment, offering a variety of upgrades, for the estimated 700 Model 47s still in service worldwide. In addition, it recently announced a deal with Lycoming to be the exclusive distributor for that company’s new “Hi-Dome” pistons for the discontinued VO-435 engine.