In the late 1960s, Bell began designing a new twin-turbine engine light helicopter.

[4] The Bell 222 incorporated a number of advanced features, including dual hydraulic and electrical systems, sponsons housing the retractable landing gear, and the Noda Matic vibration reduction system developed for the Bell 214ST.

It received certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on August 16, 1979, and was approved for visual flight rules (VFR) use on December 20, 1979.

[4] Its cabin holds a maximum of ten persons with one-two pilots and eight to nine passengers.

[4] The Bell 222 and 230 are usually flown single-pilot (optional dual controls are available), and can be configured for corporate/executive, EMS or utility transport missions.

Sources: Airliners.net,[16] Helicopterdirect,[17] others[18][19] The Bell 222 is widely known from the television series Airwolf, where a modified 222A was featured.