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The Eurocopter EC 130, which is now more commonly known as "Airbus Helicopters H130", was first rolled out in 2001. Since then, more than 700 of these have been built. All in all, H130s around the world have been able to accumulate more than 1.8M flight hours with 340 operators worldwide. The Bell 407, on the other hand, was introduced six years earlier than the EC-130 and its production numbers are more than two times higher. It has accumulated more than six million proven global flight hours.The Airbus H130 is a multi-role rotorcraft that is used for transport, sightseeing and VIP duties, as well as medical airlift and surveillance missions. Like the H130, the Bell 407 is a multi-role helicopter, which has been used to search for illegal miners, in disaster relief operations, combating poaching of wildlife in Africa, among other missions. But which of these two choppers rules the tour and charter market? Let's find out.
H130's Fenestron has a lower noise profile
Two pieces of technology help keeping the H130's noise signature 6 dB below ICAO limits:
Fenestron® shrouded tail rotor
Automatic variable rotor speedFenestron was initially designed to reinforce safety by providing additional safeguards for workers on the ground. In addition, the Fenestron also protects the tail rotor in forward flight. As more research was conducted in the (blade foils and shape of) Fenestron installed in the latter generation of helicopters, sound reduction benefits also followed.
The H130, which is equipped with Turbomeca Arriel 2B1engines, is quieter than the most restrictive limits defined by the Grand Canyon National Park in the United States, making the H130 a popular helicopter to fly in the national parks around the USA. Last year, Niagara Helicopters, a tourism company based in Niagara Falls, Ontario, placed an order for six H130 helicopters to deliver exceptional sightseeing services in the Niagara region.
Bell 407 has been used to operate in the Everest region
Although tour operators in Nepal use the Airbus AS350B (Now the Airbus H125) almost exclusively in their operations around the Everest region (an AS350B3 also landed on Mount Everest itself), one of the operators in the nation also operated the Bell 407 for sightseeing in the high Himalayas, showing the efficacy of the Bell 407 in turbulent mountainous environments. The Bell 407, which is equipped with a Rolls-Royce engine (Engine Model: 250-C47B), is also used for medical evacuations in the Himalayas.
On June 22, 2017, a mechanical failure experienced by a cable car company led to 125 people being stranded at the top of Hartbeespoort Mountain. National Airlines Corporation (NAC), South Africa, used Bell 407s to transport guests down the mountain.
Both the helicopters have same similar cost of operation
The operational costs per hour of the Bell 407 are $ 741.02. On the other hand, the cost per hour of the H130 is $767.67. So, in terms of operational costs per hour, there is very little that separates the two. In 2015, the unit price of the EC130 B4 was $2.4 million. In the current market, a new H130 costs $3.3 million. The Bell 407, on the other hand, costs a little upwards of $3 million, though used models might be a tad cheaper.
Why tour operators prefer the EC-130 to the Bell 407 for sightseeing tours
While the Bell 407 can occupy 5 passengers, the passenger capacity of the EC-130-B4 is 5-7, giving the EC-130 an edge over the Bell 407. The external baggage capacity of the EC-130-B4 is almost twice as high as that of the Bell 407 (39 cu ft vs 20 cu ft).
While the low noise profile of the EC-130 adds to a more pleasant tour/ sightseeing experience, the higher take-off weight and a higher service ceiling also add to the charm.
EC- 130 Bell 407
Takeoff weight 5,351 lb 5,250 lb
Service Ceiling 23,000 ft 18,690 ft
Maximum Speed 155 kts 140 kts
Economy Cruise 120 kts 120 ktAirbus claims that the H130 offers "the best visibility and the lowest operating cost per passenger in its class". It shouldn't come as a surprise that the H130 is a reference for passenger transport and tourism operations around the world.
Bell 407 is primarily operated by police and military around the world
The Bell 407 is more sturdily built than the EC-130: the Bell 407 is 41 ft 8 in long compared to Eurocopter EC-130, which is 35 ft 0 in long. The Bell 407 also has a greater external height (11 ft 8 in vs 10 ft 11 in). The Bell 407 is operated by the military of various nations around the world.
In addition, the police departments of various states in the US also use the Bell 407. A few examples being:
Louisiana State Police use the 407GXis, alongside the 407GXP, two Bell 430s, a Bell UH-1H, a Bell UH-1V, Bell Huey II and a Bell 206L-IV Long Ranger.The Chicago Police Department also uses the Bell 407GXi and the Bell 429.
The Virginia State Police also uses the Bell 407GXi helicopter.
The Bell 407's superior rate of climb (1,850 ft per minute vs 1,800 ft per minute) is another reason behind the Bell being a popular choice in law enforcement. All in all
The Bell 407's IFR capabilities also help in its popularity among law enforcers. Its Precise Flight Pulselite also drives birds away and signals its presence to other air traffic. While the Bell 407 is used in tourism, it is a mainstay in law enforcement agencies. Tour operators and charter markets prefer the EC-130 and the H125 as they have lower noise emissions and better visibility.