Bell 222 Helicopter

The Bell 222 (and re-engined Bell 230) is a 1980s light-to-medium twin-turbine — a sleek, retractable-gear helicopter most famous as the helicopter in the 1980s TV series Airwolf. Twin Lycoming LTS101 engines (later replaced by Rolls-Royce 250-C30 on the 230), retractable gear and a stand-up cabin made it the most modern civil twin of its era. Used for corporate, EMS and charter roles. The 230 was a re-engined upgrade; the later 430 (separate page) stretched the design.

Bell 222 helicopter for sale

5 used Bell 222 helicopters for sale · 8-seat · Reference price ~$850,000 ($450,000–$1,500,000) · updated 22 hours ago

Bell 222 Specifications

Model spec

The Bell 222 is a 8-seat twin turbine helicopter with a cruise speed of 133 kt (246 km/h), a range of 282 nm (522 km), and a useful load of 2,200 lbs (998 kg).

Performance
Cruise133 kt (246 km/h)
Range282 nm (522 km)
Service Ceiling20,000 ft (6,096 m)
Engine & Fuel
Horsepower592 HP
Fuel Burn55.0 GPH (208 L/h)
Weights & Seats
Seats8
Max Gross Weight8,100 lbs (3,674 kg)
Useful Load2,200 lbs (998 kg)
Production1982–1999

Bell 222 for Sale

Bell 222 asking prices range from $695,000 to $932,211, with a median of $813,605 (market reference $850,000).

$695,000
For Sale
Reg# N322AW US
Location Atlanta, GA
Multiple sources
$932,211
For Sale
Reg# VH-JQB Australia
Location Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia
Multiple sources
Contact for Price
On Request
Total Time 7,480
Contact for Price
On Request
Total Time 2,519
Location Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Contact for Price
On Request
Location Miami, FL
Multiple sources
Contact for Price
For Lease
Total Time 4,400
Location Portlaoise, Ireland
Listed 2mo ago

Compare Bell 222

See how the Bell 222 stacks up against similar aircraft in specs, price, and operating costs.

Bell 222 Price & Cost

How much does a Bell 222 cost? Used 222 prices: $695K – $932K, average $813K (median $813K); market reference $850K, across 2 priced of 5 active listings.

Bell 222 Price Guide

Key price factors: engine time to overhaul, year and airframe hours, avionics, damage history and logbook completeness — see the buying guide below for the full pre-purchase checklist.

Bell 222 Cost of Ownership estimate
Fuel (55.0 GPH × $6.20, 100 hrs)$34,100/yr
Estimates at 100 flight hours/year. Actual costs vary by usage, location and insurance.

Buying a Used Bell 222

Buying a Bell 222 comes down to a focused pre-purchase checklist — here is what matters most on this model:

What to check before buying

  • Engine type — LTS101 (222) vs RR 250-C30 (230); the 230's engine swap addressed 222 reliability concerns.
  • Retractable gear — gear AD and history; few civil helicopters have retractable gear, so parts are model-specific.
  • Age — 30-40 year-old airframe; corrosion checks essential.
  • Parts availability — thinner than 206/407; budget for sourcing time.
  • Engine programs — RR 250 (230) is well-supported; LTS101 (222) is thinner.

Which 222/230? The 230 (re-engined) is the more practical buy; original 222s with LTS101 only with thorough engine review.

Frequently Asked Questions — Bell 222

Cost?
$813,605.
222 vs 230?
The 230 has Rolls-Royce 250-C30 engines (more reliable than the 222's Lycoming LTS101).
Airwolf?
Yes — the 222 is the famous TV helicopter (modified externally).
Parts?
Smaller production = thinner parts support than 206/407.

Bell 222 Inventory by Country

United States3
Australia1
Ireland1
South Africa1

Bell 222 by Decade

1980s4
1990s1

Bell 222 Safety Record

Across all 222 variants, 48 NTSB-recorded events are on file from 1982–2025. As with any aircraft, most outcomes depend on pilot training, maintenance and operating conditions rather than the airframe itself.

48

Total Events

25

Incidents

2

Serious

10

Fatal

Most Recent Events

Date Location Severity Probable Cause
Oct 11, 2025 Huntington Beach, CA Serious
Apr 26, 2019 Addis Ababa, Incident
Mar 30, 2019 Montgomery, NY Minor A partial loss of engine power, as reported by the pilot, during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined based …
Sep 04, 2010 Los Angeles, CA Incident Failure of the air traffic controller to exercise positive control of the situation by issuing clear and timely control …
Jun 02, 2010 Midlothian, TX Fatal (2) The fracture of a swashplate drive pin as a result of hydrogen embrittlement due to an unknown source, which resulted in…

NTSB records 1982–2025. Includes all Bell 222 variants. Events ≠ aircraft fault.

Disclaimer: All prices, cost estimates, and market values shown are based on asking prices from third-party sources and are provided for informational purposes only. AeroGurus is not an appraiser, broker, or financial advisor. Always obtain a professional appraisal and independent inspection before making a purchase decision.
Listings last refreshed 22 hours ago · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data