Bell 47
477 on the U.S. register across 21 versions the FAA records separately. Built from 1947 to 2010; half of them date from 1963 or earlier. California has the most (66). 60% are registered to companies, flight schools, clubs and other organisations; the rest to individuals, who are never named here.
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About the 47 from the FAA's model table
- Type
- Rotorcraft · Helicopters
- Power
- Piston (reciprocating), 1 engine
- Common engines
- Lycoming Vo-435 Series (149), Lycoming Tvo-435-Gia (85), Franklin 6V4 Series (46)
- Seats
- 3 (up to 4 in some versions)
- Cruise speed
- about 78 mph
- Maker on the register
- Bell
- Registered
- earliest certificate January 27, 1976; newest September 30, 2026
Where they are owner's state
California66Florida36Texas35Minnesota34Michigan31Pennsylvania23Kansas21Iowa20Delaware18Idaho14New York13Arkansas13
Who owns them registrant type
Individual177 (37%)Corporation173 (36%)LLC108 (23%)Co-owned14 (3%)Government3 (0.6%)Partnership1 (0.2%)Non-citizen corporation1 (0.2%)
Versions as the FAA records them · click one to list only those aircraft
| Version | Registered | Built | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 47G-3B-1 | 86 | 1961 to 1974 | 18.0% |
| 47G-2 | 86 | 1948 to 2010 | 18.0% |
| 47G | 55 | 1947 to 1972 | 11.5% |
| 47D1 | 47 | 1947 to 1967 | 9.9% |
| 47G-5 | 40 | 1966 to 1971 | 8.4% |
| 47G-3B-2 | 26 | 1962 to 1972 | 5.5% |
| 47G-4A | 20 | 1965 to 1971 | 4.2% |
| 47G-5A | 19 | 1972 to 1973 | 4.0% |
| 47G-2A | 19 | 1954 to 1971 | 4.0% |
| 47G-3B | 15 | 1961 to 1965 | 3.1% |
| 47G-4 | 13 | 1963 to 1974 | 2.7% |
| 47G-2A-1 | 13 | 1960 to 1974 | 2.7% |
| 47G3B2A | 7 | 1972 to 1973 | 1.5% |
| 47J-2 | 6 | 1961 to 1963 | 1.3% |
| 47J | 6 | 1957 to 1958 | 1.3% |
| 47H-1 | 6 | 1955 to 1957 | 1.3% |
| 47J-2A | 5 | 1965 | 1.0% |
| 47D | 4 | 1947 to 1955 | 0.8% |
| 47D1G | 2 | 1948 to 1959 | 0.4% |
| 47K | 1 | 1958 | 0.2% |
| 47B | 1 | 1946 | 0.2% |
When they were built by decade · 126 with no year on file
Registrations by year certificates issued since 2010, including changes of owner · 2026 is the year so far
Registration status
Valid474 (99%)Sale reported2 (0.4%)Pending1 (0.2%)
Airworthiness certificate class
Standard211 (44%)Multiple125 (26%)Restricted96 (20%)None on file36 (8%)Experimental9 (2%)
Biggest operators companies, schools and clubs
Wilbur-Ellis CO14Magnum Aviation LLC13Scotts Helicopter Services INC10Triple F Flying INC9Scotts Helicopter Service INC8Ritel Copter Service INC5Hhi Farms LLC5Hendrickson Flying Service INC5Hammock Flying Service INC5Classic Rotors Museum5Taz Air Service INC4English Air Service LLC4
Fleet pages: Wilbur-Ellis CO · Magnum Aviation LLC · Scotts Helicopter Services INC · Triple F Flying INC · Scotts Helicopter Service INC · Ritel Copter Service INC · Hhi Farms LLC · Hendrickson Flying Service INC
Accident history NTSB records · 495 cases since 1982, 50 fatal
2026-09-06ERA26LA331 · 47G-4A N797WS · accident near Alcoma, FL · no injuries
2026-07-03WPR26LA247 · 47G N7985A · accident near Springtown, TX · serious injuries
2026-06-22CEN26LA234 · 47G-2 N65520 · accident near Troy, MO · serious injuries
2026-06-01WPR26LA207 · 47G-2 N88755 · accident near Mettler, CA · no injuries
2026-01-29ERA26LA100 · 47G-3B N347BH · accident near Floral City, FL · no injuries
2025-07-31CEN25LA298 · 47G N102SH · accident near Assumption, MN · no injuries
2024-02-23WPR24LA093 · 47G-3B-1 N2618W · accident near Garey, CA · minor injuries
2023-08-12ERA23LA332 · 47G-5 N1503L · accident near Mifflinville, PA · 1 killed
The 8 most recent of 495 cases where the NTSB's make and model match this family's versions. Rates per registered aircraft, phases of flight and causes are coming with the analytics stage. Each aircraft's own page also shows its record.
Questions people ask answers refresh every morning
How many Bell 47 aircraft are registered in the U.S.?
477 as of October 2, 2026, counting 21 versions the FAA records separately.
Which state has the most Bell 47s?
California, with 66.
Who owns the Bell 47?
60% are registered to companies, flight schools, clubs and other organisations; the rest to individuals and co-owners, who are never named on this site.
Aircraft newest certificates first · 13 47G-2A-1 (all versions)
| Tail no. | Maker and model | Owner and base | Certificate | Registered | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N73905 | Bell 47G-2A-1 |
Fingerlakes Wing And Rotor LLC Seneca Falls, New York |
Standard | 2024-10-29 | Valid |
| N391HP | Bell 47G-2A-1 |
Individual owner Massachusetts |
Multiple | 2023-06-03 | Valid |
| N73907 | Bell 47G-2A-1 |
Individual owner California |
Multiple | 2023-04-17 | Valid |
| N73966 | Bell 47G-2A-1 |
Individual owner Oklahoma |
Multiple | 2023-03-27 | Valid |
| N73953 | Bell 47G-2A-1 |
Ritel Copter Service INC Hudson, Iowa |
Multiple | 2022-08-30 | Valid |
| N50SD | Bell 47G-2A-1 |
Louisville Aviation LLC Louisville, Kentucky |
Multiple | 2017-11-03 | Valid |
| N73974 | Bell 47G-2A-1 |
Triple F Flying INC Benton, Pennsylvania |
Restricted | 2016-09-07 | Valid |
| N47LB | Bell 47G-2A-1 |
Magnum Aviation LLC Goff, Kansas |
Standard | 2014-10-15 | Valid |
| N73286 | Bell 47G-2A-1 |
Individual owner California |
Multiple | 2003-01-24 | Valid |
| N6784D | Bell 47G-2A-1 |
North Coast Helicopter Svc INC Napa, California |
Multiple | 2000-07-18 | Valid |
| N8542D | Bell 47G-2A-1 |
Scotts Helicopter Services INC Le Sueur, Minnesota |
Multiple | 1994-06-10 | Valid |
| N7764 | Bell 47G-2A-1 |
Individual owner New York |
Multiple | 1992-04-03 | Valid |
| N53997 | Bell 47G-2A-1 |
Individual owner Indiana |
Standard | 1984-07-20 | Valid |