The Daily Briefing

On 13 August 1976, the Bell Model 222 prototype (N9988K) achieved its first flight at Arlington, Texas. Test pilots Donald Lee Bloom and Louis William Hartwig guided the twin-engine helicopter through a 42-minute maiden voyage, executing hovering maneuvers and transitions to forward flight. A Bell spokesperson hailed it as “one of the most successful prototype flights we’ve ever had,” marking a significant milestone for the company’s first completely new helicopter design since the Model 206 JetRanger series.

The Model 222, classified as a light twin, originally featured two Lycoming LTS101-650C-3 turboshaft engines and a two-blade main rotor similar to the AH-1 Cobra. Early prototypes utilized a T-tail, but test program issues prompted a redesign to the production configuration. Capable of carrying ten persons and certified for Instrument Flight Rules, the 222 served as an executive, utility, and aeromedical transport. The first prototype later appeared as a static prop on the television series “Airwolf.”