Research aircraft and systems

Bell 206 family ↗Pilot account

Pilot Report: Bell JetRanger II

Uncredited May 1973 flight report, republished March 2018; demonstration by Tuck Middlebrook

Bell 206 family ↗Pilot account

Dick Smith Australian Explorer, VH-DIK

Dick Smith’s journey documented by curator Margaret Simpson; object 90/816

Bell 222 family ↗Simulator documentation

Bell 222 family · CowanSim · CowanSim · MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024

Autopilot standby retains the underlying stabilisation

The 222 autopilot guide says pressing SBY once removes armed or active autopilot modes while leaving Auto Trim/SAS active. It documents autopilot availability above 44 knots, with SAS required for those modes. This describes CowanSim’s software system.

222 Autopilot System guide · PDF pp.1,4; undated

Bell 222 family ↗Simulator documentation

Bell 222 family · CowanSim · CowanSim · MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024

The 222UT distinguishes rotor-speed adjustment from aircraft trim

The guide maps governor fine adjustment to Engine Trim RPM Increase/Decrease, while cyclic trim uses the separate rotor longitudinal and lateral trim controls. Rotor Trim Reset has its own binding. These similarly named controls perform different functions in this package.

MSFS 222UT setup guide · PDF pp.4–5; undated

Bell 222 family ↗Simulator documentation

Bell 222 family · CowanSim · CowanSim · MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024

Give the 222B collective and throttles separate controls

CowanSim documents a collective axis and separate helicopter throttle axes for the two twist grips. A user without dedicated throttle hardware can operate the grips with the mouse. The idle-stop command is distinct from simply moving an axis.

MSFS 222B setup guide · PDF pp.1–3; undated

Bell 222 family ↗Simulator documentation

Bell 222 family · CowanSim · CowanSim · X-Plane 11 · X-Plane 12

The X-Plane 222B offers cabin and panel choices

CowanSim’s listing describes luxury and medical interiors, configurable panels, AviTab integration and optional RXP GTN 750 integration. These features belong to the 222B product described by the page.

Developer product listing · captured September 2026

Bell 222 family ↗Simulator documentation

Bell 222 family · CowanSim · CowanSim · X-Plane 11 · X-Plane 12

Choose texture size to suit the installation

The listed package includes 2K and 4K versions, FMOD audio, window-rain effects and VR support. Its version summary gives separate X-Plane 11 and 12 release dates for v2.60.

Developer listing · X-Plane 11 v2.60 February 2022; X-Plane 12 v2.60 May 2023

Bell 222 family ↗Research-based aircraft background

Bell 222 family

Bell developed the 222 as a light helicopter with two engines. The 230 followed with a different powerplant installation and further refinements. The simulator catalogue distinguishes 222B and 222UT products, while the photographs show their own identified variants. Family resemblance does not make those versions interchangeable.

Bell 222 family ↗Pilot account

Check that box, and fly it to the ground!

Chris Kruse · recollection of 14 April 2000

Bell 222 family ↗Pilot account

Bell 222 or older A109?

IHL · post 5 · 28 February 2008

Bell 222 family ↗Pilot account

Bell 222/230 discussion, page four

inthegreen · 28 November 2005

Bell 407 ↗Simulator documentation

407 · Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2024

The update record includes passengers and the flight bag

The December 2025 release notes identify a correction to passenger navigation and career behaviour, together with a helicopter outline added to the EFB. These details concern the bundled MSFS 2024 Bell 407 and its integration with the simulator’s activities.

MSFS 2024 Sim Update 4 · 1.6.32.0, 8 December 2025