While Sikorsky R-4s were used by the US and British forces during World War II, it was Bell Helicopter that produced the first helicopter certificated for civil use. Te Bell 47 received Helicopter Type Certificate No. 1: NC-1H—the first granted by the US Civil Aeronautics Board (forerunner of the FAA)—on Mar. 8, 1946. Tis iconic aircraft remained in production until 1974. Te type certificate was purchased from Bell Helicopter in 2009 by Scott Churchill, whose company, Scott’s – Bell 47, provides support for the 1,000-plus Model 47s still flying today.
102 ROTOR SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE VERTIFLITE, MARCH/APRIL 1976 (PAGE 36); VERTICAL FLIGHT SOCIETY, FORMERLY AMERICAN HELICOPTER SOCIETY