Bell 212
The Bell 212 (also known as the Bell Two-Twelve) is a two-blade, twin-engine, medium helicopter that first flew in 1968. Originally manufactured by Bell Helicopter in Fort Worth, Texas, United States, production was moved to Mirabel, Quebec, Canada in 1988, along with all Bell commercial helicopter production after that plant opened in 1986.[1][2]
The 212 was marketed to civilian operators and has up to a 15-seat capacity, with one pilot and fourteen passengers. In cargo-carrying configuration, the 212 has an internal capacity of 220 ft3 (6.23 m3). An external load of up to 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) can be carried.
Development
Based on the stretched fuselage Bell 205, the Bell 212 was originally developed for the Canadian Forces as the CUH-1N and later redesignated as the CH-135. The Canadian Forces took delivery of 50 starting in May 1971. At the same time the United States military services ordered 294 Bell 212s under the designation UH-1N.
By 1971, the Bell 212 had been developed for commercial applications. Among the earliest uses of the type in civil aviation was by Helicopter Service AS of Norway to be used in support of offshore drilling; it proved popular across the offshore sector in particular as it had been certified for operating under marginal weather conditions.[3] Today, the 212 can be found used in logging operations, maritime rescue and resupply in the Arctic on the Distant Early Warning Line or North Warning System.
The 212 is powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T-3 Twin-Pac made up of two coupled PT6 power turbines driving a common gearbox. They are capable of producing up to 1,800 shp (1,342 kW). Should one power section fail the remaining section can deliver 900 shp (671 kW) for 30 minutes, or 765 shp (571 kW) continuously, enabling the 212 to maintain cruise performance at maximum weight.
Early 212s configured with an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) package were required to have a large and very obvious fin attached to the roof of the aircraft, above and slightly behind the cockpit. This fin was initially determined necessary to alter the turning performance of the aircraft during complex instrument flight maneuvers, but is no longer required due to revised stipulations of the type certificate. Many aircraft still fly with the modification.
In 1979, with the purchase of eight by the Civil Air Authority, the 212 became the first U.S. helicopter sold in the People's Republic of China.
The ICAO designator for this aircraft as used in a flight plan is "B212". Bell developed the Model 212 further with the Bell 412; the major difference being the composite four-blade main rotor. The last Bell 212 was delivered in 1998.[4]
Variants
- Bell Model 212 - Bell Helicopters company designation for the UH-1N.
- Twin Two-Twelve - Civil utility transport version. It can carry up to 14 passengers.
- Agusta-Bell AB 212 - Civil or military utility transport version. Built under license in Italy by Agusta.
- Agusta-Bell AB.212ASW - Anti-Submarine Warfare variant of AB.212
- Bell Model 412 - Bell 212 with a four-bladed semi-rigid rotor system.
- Eagle Single - Bell 212 converted to a single-engine configuration. Produced by Eagle Copters of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, using a Lycoming T5317A, T5317B, or T5317BCV engine.[5][6]
Operators
Civil and government operators
The Bell 212 is used by many private and commercial operators, it is particularly popular in the oil industries and for law enforcement use.
- Canadian Coast Guard - former operator of six 212s[7][8]
- Bangladesh Air Force operates 14 Bell 212
- Iranian state[12]
Specifications (Bell 212)
Data from Bell 212 Rotorcraft Flight Manual[19]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1 (two for IFR operation)
- Capacity: 14 passengers
- Length: 57 ft 1.68 in (17.4163 m)
- Height: 12 ft 6.83 in (3.8311 m)
- Empty weight: 6,529 lb (2,962 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 11,200 lb (5,080 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T-3 or -3B coupled turboshaft engine, 1,800 shp (1,300 kW) (TwinPac)
- Main rotor diameter: 48 ft 0 in (14.63 m)
- Main rotor area: 1,809.5 sq ft (168.11 m2)
- Blade Section: root: NACA 0010.8; tip: NACA 0005.4 mod[20]
Performance
- Cruise speed: 100 kn (120 mph, 190 km/h)
- Never exceed speed: 120 kn (140 mph, 220 km/h)
- Range: 237 nmi (273 mi, 439 km)
- Service ceiling: 17,400 ft (5,300 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,745 ft/min (8.86 m/s)
- Disk loading: 6.19 lb/sq ft (30.2 kg/m2)
Notable incidents
- 1982 Bristow Helicopters Bell 212 crash: On 14 September 1982, a medical evacuation helicopter flight operated by Bristow Helicopters crashed during the early hours of the morning in driving rain and poor visibility over the North Sea. All six crew members on board died when their aircraft plunged into the sea near the Murchison platform while trying to locate the Baffin Seal seismic survey vessel.[21]
- 2012 Rampayoh helicopter crash: On 20 July 2012, a Bell 212 helicopter of the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) crashed in the region of Kuala Belait,[22][23] at Ulu Rampayoh in Mukim Labi. Twelve of the fourteen people on board were killed.[23] The two survivors were in serious condition but recovered.[24]
- 2024 Varzaqan helicopter crash: On 19 May 2024, a Bell 212 helicopter operated by the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Governor of East Azerbaijan Malek Rahmati, and the Supreme Leader's representative in East Azerbaijan Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem crashed near the Iranian city of Varzaqan, East Azerbaijan, killing all 8 people on board.[25][26]
See also
Related development
Related lists
Further reading
- Chant, Christopher. Fighting Helicopters of the 20th Century. Graham Beehag Books, Christchurch, Dorset, England (1996).
- Debay, Yves. Combat Helicopters, France: Histoire & Collections (1996).
- Mutza, Wayne. UH-1 Huey in Colors. Carrollton, TX: Squadron Signal. <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>ISBN 0-89747-279-9.
External links
- ↑ Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Ltd. – Complete Profile. Industry Canada. (December 2010) Retrieved 11 December 2010 from link
- ↑ Lua error: bad argument #1 to "get" (not a valid title).
- ↑ ElBell 212 en la Fuerza Aérea. FAA official magazine. Retrieved June 25, 2022 from link
- ↑ "Bell 212" (subscription article). Jane's Helicopter Markets and Systems. Jane's Information Group, 2 April 2013.
- ↑ Eagle Single | Airframe Customizations | Eagle Copters. Retrieved 6 May 2020 from link
- ↑ Lua error: bad argument #1 to "get" (not a valid title).
- ↑ Coast Guard Rotary Wing Aircraft. Canadian Coast Guard. (17 April 2012) Retrieved 4 November 2012 from link
- ↑ Better, Faster, Stronger: The Canadian Coast Guard's new helicopter fleet. Oliver Johnson. (5 January 2018) Retrieved 15 July 2020 from link
- ↑ Policija Fleet. Retrieved from Helis.com
- ↑ CH-135 detailed list. Retrieved 17 April 2015 from link
- ↑ Bell 212. Retrieved 24 October 2019 from link
- ↑ Lua error: bad argument #1 to "get" (not a valid title).
- ↑ Japan Coast Guard Bell-212. 海上保安庁 2013 FlyTeam. Retrieved 22 January 2013 from link
- ↑ Serbia Police Aviation. aeroflight.co.uk. Retrieved 14 January 2014 from link
- ↑ Helikopterji in oprema. policija.si. Retrieved 23 November 2014 from link
- ↑ Thai Police Aviation Division. Retrieved 17 April 2015 from link
- ↑ Aircraft Operated. sbcounty.gov. Retrieved 26 July 2013 from link
- ↑ Dousing the Flames: San Diego Fire Department Air Ops Program. Access Intelligence, LLC. Retrieved 26 July 2013 from link
- ↑ Bell 212 Rotorcraft Flight Manual BHT-212IFR-FM-1 revision 3, 1 May 1998.
- ↑ The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage. Retrieved 16 April 2019 from m-selig.ae.illinois.edu
- ↑ 2/1984 Bell 212, G-BDIL, 14 September 1982. Retrieved 2024-05-21 from GOV.UK
- ↑ 12 killed in Brunei helicopter crash. (2012-07-21) Retrieved 2024-07-20 from CNN
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 Brunei air force helicopter crash kills 12; 2 survive. Yantoultra Ngui. (2012-07-21) Retrieved 2024-07-20 from Reuters
- ↑ Brunei air force helicopter crash kills 12, two cadets survive. (2012-07-22) Retrieved 2024-07-20 from Borneo Post Online
- ↑ Helicopter carrying Iranian President Raisi crashes, state media says. Jerome Taylor. (20 May 2024) Retrieved May 20, 2024 from link
- ↑ Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi dies in Vietnam-era Bell 212 helicopter crash on mountain. George Petras and Javier Zarracina. Retrieved 2024-05-21 from USA TODAY
