Airways: Bell 212 Helicopter

The Bell 212 Twin Huey (also known as the Twin Two-Twelve) is a medium civilian helicopter that first flew in 1968. The 212 has a fifteen seat configuration, with one pilot and fourteen passengers. In cargo configuration the 212 has an internal capacity of 6.23 m³ (220 ft3). An external load of up to 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) can be carried.

Bell 212 helicopter Operational history
Based on the stretched fuselage Bell 205, the Bell 212 was originally developed for the Canadian Forces under the designation CUH-1N which later became CH-135. The original order for the Canadian Forces was 50 with an option for a further 20. At the same time the United States military services ordered 141 Bell 212's under the designation UH-1N.

By 1971 the 212 had been developed for commercial applications. Amongst the earliest uses of the 212 in civil aviation was by Helikopter Service AS of Norway to be used in support of offshore oil rigs. 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's main rotor is powered by a PT6T-3 Turbo Twin Pac made up of two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T turboshaft engines. They are capable of producing up to 1,342 kW (1,800 shp). Should one engine fail the remaining engine can deliver 671 kW (900 shp) for 30 minutes or 571 kW (765 shp) enabling the 212 to maintain cruise performance at maximum weight.

Early 212s configured with an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) instrument 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 now not 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 PRC.

The ICAO designator for this aircraft as used in a flight plan is B212.

The Bell 412 is a further development of the Bell 212, the major difference being the composite four-blade main rotor.

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-passenger.
Agusta-Bell AB 212 - Civil or military utility transport version. Built under licence in Italy by Agusta.

Bell Model 412 - Bell 212 with a four-bladed semi-rigid rotor system.

General characteristics
* Crew: 1
* Capacity: 14
* Length: 57 ft 3 in (17.46 m
* Length (fuselage): 42 ft 5 in (12.92 m))
* Rotor diameter: 42 ft 2 in (14.69 m)
* Height: 14 ft 5 in (4.39 m)
* Disc area: 1,825 ft² (169.5 m²)
* Empty weight: 5,549 lb (2,517 kg)
* Max takeoff weight: 11,200 lb (5,080 kg)
* Powerplant: 2× Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T-3 or -3B, turboshafts in Twinpac configuration, driving a common gearbox., 1,800 shp (1,342 kW) each

Performance
* Maximum speed: 130 knots
* Range: 237 nm (439 km)
* Service ceiling: 17,400 ft (5,305 m)
* Rate of climb: 1,745 ft/min (532 m/min)

Bell 212 Helicopter Photos