Bell 214ST

The Bell 214ST is a medium-lift, twin-engine helicopter descended from Bell Helicopter's ubiquitous UH-1 Huey series. Though it shares a type number with the somewhat-related Bell 214, the 214ST is larger and of quite different appearance.

Design and development
The 214ST was originally developed as a military project from the Bell 214B BigLifter, specifically for production in Iran and the development by Bell was funded by the Iranian government. The fundamental difference was the replacement of the Model 214's single Lycoming LTC-4 turboshaft engine with two 1625 shp General Electric T700 engines, to improve the helicopters hot and high performance and improve safety. An interim twin-engined conversion of a Model 214 flew on 15 February 1977 in Texas, Testing was successful, and Bell decided to press forward with a definitive twin engined Bell 214ST, with a fuselage stretched by 30 in and a revised main rotor of greater diameter. Iran changed its production plans, with 50 Bell 214A and 350 214STs to be built at the new production plant to be set up at Isfahan, Iran. Work started on three conforming prototypes in 1978.

The overthrow of the Shah in 1979 resulted in the cancellation of Iran's orders but by this time the new helicopter had attracted sufficient interest from other potential customers for Bell to continue with the project and build the 214ST at their Dallas-Fort Worth facility instead and launch it as a civil helicopter, rather than a military one. The first of the three full 214 ST prototypes flew on 21 July 1979. Manufacturing of production 214STs began in 1981. Type certification from the FAA and CAA for visual and instrument flight rules was awarded in 1982. The military variant followed the civil one into production with helicopter deliveries commencing in 1982.

The Bell 214ST included major design changes from the Bell 214. The Bell 214ST has a larger, stretched fuselage with seating for 16-18 passengers, and two 1625 shp GE CT7-2A engines. The helicopter introduced some ground-breaking innovations for Bell, including, a one-hour run-dry transmission, fiberglass rotor blades, elastomeric rotorhead bearings and the option of either skid or wheeled landing gear. The helicopter has a cockpit door and a large cabin door on each side. The 214ST has a capacity for fuel of 435 US gallons (1,650 L). An auxiliary fuel system could be added.

The Model 214ST is the largest helicopter that has been built by Bell. The ST was originally an acronym for "Stretched Twin", but was later changed to "Super Transporter". Bell built a total of 96 214STs with production ending in 1993.

The military operators included: Iraq (48), Brunei (1), Peru (11), Thailand (9) and Venezuela (4).

The 214ST was replaced on the Mirabel plant production line by the smaller Bell 230.

Military operators

 * Royal Brunei Air Force
 * Peruvian Air Force
 * Royal Thai Navy
 * Peruvian Air Force
 * Royal Thai Navy
 * Royal Thai Navy

Civil operators

 * Helicopter Transport Services
 * Presidential Airways - (operated by AAR Airlift- 4
 * Evergreen Helicopters
 * Presidential Airways - (operated by AAR Airlift- 4
 * Evergreen Helicopters

Former operators

 * CHC Helikopter Service
 * 🇮🇶 Iraq
 * Iraqi Air Force
 * British Caledonian Helicopters (bought out by Bristow Helicopters)
 * Bristow Helicopters
 * Venezuelan Air Force
 * Bristow Helicopters
 * Venezuelan Air Force
 * Venezuelan Air Force