Bell 407

The Bell 407 is a four-blade, single-engine civil utility helicopter, a derivative of the Bell 206L-4 LongRanger. Bell began development in 1993 as the New Light Aircraft, a replacement for its Model 206 series, and a modified 206L-3 served as the demonstrator in 1994. The 407 uses a composite four-blade rotor with a hub derived from the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, in place of the 206's two-blade teetering rotor. The first prototype made its maiden flight on 29 June 1995, Transport Canada certified the type on 9 February 1996, and full production began that year at Bell's Mirabel, Quebec plant. Over 1,600 had been produced by early 2023, and several military operators also fly it.