Brantly B-2B

Type (Muster)
Light helicopter (Leichthubschrauber)

Country (Land)
USA

Manufacturer (Hersteller)
Brantly International
Wilbarger County Airport
12399 Airport Drive
Vernon, Texas 76384
USA

Phone: 001-940/552-5451
Fax: 001-940/552-2703

General data (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 1
Passengers (Passagiere): 1
Baggage (Gepäck): 0,17 cu m or 22 kg

Power plant (Antrieb):1 x Lycoming IVO 360AIA
Power (Leistung): 134 kW (180 hp)
Average fuel consumption (Kraftstoffverbrauch): 38 - 42 liters/h

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Overall length, rotors turning (Länge über drehende Rotoren): 8,53 m
Fuselage length (Rumpflänge): 6,43 m
Height (Höhe): 2,11 m
Width over landing gear (Breite): 2,08 m
Main rotor diameter (Rotordurchmesser): 7,24 m
Tail rotor diameter (Heckrotordurchmesser): 1,30 m

Cabin length (Kabinenlänge): 1,83 m
Cabin width (Kabinenbreite): 1,19 m maximum
Cabin height (Kabinenhöhe): 0,99 m
Cabin floor area (Kabinenfläche): 2,6 sq m
Cabin volume (Kabinenvolumen): 2,78 cu m

Weights (Massen)
Empty weight, standard (Leermasse): 476 kg
Fuel (Kraftstoff): 31 gal (117 litres)
Max. take-off weight (Max. Startmasse): 757 kg

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Max. level speed (Höchstgeschwindigkeit) 161 km/h (87 kts) at max. take-off weight
Max. cruise speed (max. Reisegeschwindigkeit): 145 km/h at 75 % power
Max. climb rate (Steigrate) 7,1 m/s at max. take-off weight, sea level
Service ceiling (Dienstgipfelhöhe): 1830 m (6000 ft) on standard day
Hover ceiling (Schwebeflughöhe)
- in ground effect (mit Bodeneffekt): 2040 m
Range (Reichweite): 321 km with reserves

Costs (Kosten)
Price was given as 150000 US-Dollars at the Heli-Expo 2001 in Anaheim. Direct operating costs are claimed as 82 US-Dollars/hour in February 2000.

Customers (Kunden)
In February 2000, Brantly announced the lease of two B-2Bs to Summit Aviation in Temple, Texas. Also, four helicopters will be shipped the the China General Aviation Corporation from March 2000.
According to AIA statistics, two B-2Bs were delivered in 1998 and before that 2 in 1979, 11 in 1978 and 1 in 1977.

Competition (Konkurrenz)
Enstrom F 28F
Robinson R22
Schweizer Model 300C

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
The B-2B is a rugged yet simple design - a true flying workhorse. It can be used for flight training, law-enforcement, news coverage, ranch monitoring, land survey, border patrol, beach patrol, wildlife and forest patrol, just to name a few. Its design can be fitted with optional equipment to perform various functions. These include: Pontoons for water landings; chemical tanks for agricultural spraying; fuel tanks for extended flights, camera mounts for filming, infa-red and night vision equipment, etc.

History (Geschichte)
Designed by the late Newby O. Brantly, the two-seat B-2B flew for the first time in February 1953. An FAA type certificate was granted in 1959. A manufacturing facility was built in Frederick, Oklahoma. There, 33 helicopters were built in 1960 and 77 in 1961. Almost 500 examples were built by various companies through the 70s. Then the company changed hands a few times, with no concrete results.
In 1994, Fesco, a mainland Chinese enterprise, purchased the Brantly name and type certificate. After strict examination and days of on-site inspection in Vernon (Texas), the Federal Aviation Administration was satisfied that the manufacturing processes and quality control systems met their stringent requirements and granted the new owners a Production Certificate for the B-2B on July 19, 1996. Other than the Lycoming engine, Brantly International manufactures practically all of the parts including the rotor blades.
By the beginning of 1999 a dozen helicopters had been built, with marketing starting officially at the Heli-Expo show in February at Dallas.
Deliveries started in 2000, with six aircraft allegedly handed over during the year.

Last updated 1 March 2001

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