Bell 212 Explained

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

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.

Notable incidents

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.[19]

On 20 July 2012, a Bell 212 helicopter of the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) crashed in the region of Kuala Belait,[20] [21] at Ulu Rampayoh in Mukim Labi. Twelve of the fourteen people on board were killed. The two survivors were in serious condition but recovered.[22]

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.[23] [24]

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Ltd. – Complete Profile. 11 December 2010. Industry Canada. Industry Canada. December 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20121001032111/http://www.ic.gc.ca/app/ccc/srch/nvgt.do?sbPrtl=&prtl=1&estblmntNo=123456000951&profile=cmpltPrfl&profileId=1421&app=sold&lang=eng. 1 October 2012. dead.
  2. News: Canada Seeks Helicopter Self Sufficiency. 14 December 2010. Goold . Ian . November 1987. Flight International.
  3. Web site: ElBell 212 en la Fuerza Aérea . FAA official magazine . June 25, 2022 . October 28, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081028175607/http://www.aeroespacio.com.ar/site/anteriores/538-550/542/site/_05Bell%20212.htm . dead .
  4. https://janes.ihs.com/CustomPages/Janes/DisplayPage.aspx?DocType=Reference&ItemId=+++1311944&Pubabbrev=JHMS "Bell 212"
  5. Web site: Eagle Single | Airframe Customizations | Eagle Copters . 6 May 2020 .
  6. News: Eagle Copters Obtains U.S. FAA Certification for the Eagle Single . 6 June 2023 .
  7. Web site: Coast Guard Rotary Wing Aircraft. 4 November 2012. Canadian Coast Guard. Canadian Coast Guard. 17 April 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130420003410/http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/e0001589. 20 April 2013.
  8. Web site: Better, Faster, Stronger: The Canadian Coast Guard's new helicopter fleet. 15 July 2020. Johnson. Oliver. Vertical Magazine. 5 January 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180614070736/https://www.verticalmag.com/features/better-faster-stronger-canadian-coast-guards-new-helicopter-fleet/. 14 June 2018. live.
  9. Web site: Policija Fleet. Helis.com.
  10. Web site: CH-135 detailed list. rwrwalker.ca. 17 April 2015. March 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060544/http://rwrwalker.ca/CF_twin_huey.html. dead.
  11. Web site: Bell 212. 24 October 2019.
  12. News: Iran helicopter crash live news: Rescuers find President Raisi's aircraft . May 19, 2024 . May 19, 2024 . . Ted . Regencia.
  13. Web site: Japan Coast Guard Bell-212. https://archive.today/20130218195627/http://flyteam.jp/photo/japan-coast-guard/Bell-212/518999. dead. 18 February 2013. 海上保安庁 2013 FlyTeam. 22 January 2013.
  14. Web site: Serbia Police Aviation . aeroflight.co.uk . 14 January 2014.
  15. Web site: Helikopterji in oprema . policija.si . 23 November 2014 . June 8, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150608174523/http://www.policija.si/index.php/o-policiji/6309-helikopterji-in-oprema?lang= . dead .
  16. Web site: Thai Police Aviation Division. police.go.th. 17 April 2015. 17 April 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150417030004/http://www.tpad.police.go.th/news1.php. dead.
  17. Web site: Aircraft Operated . sbcounty.gov . 26 July 2013.
  18. Web site: Dousing the Flames: San Diego Fire Department Air Ops Program . Access Intelligence, LLC . 26 July 2013 . March 3, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303225736/http://www.aviationtoday.com/rw/public-service/fire/73994.html#.UfQiSfnn-M8 . dead .
  19. Web site: 2/1984 Bell 212, G-BDIL, 14 September 1982 . 2024-05-21 . GOV.UK . en.
  20. Web site: 2012-07-21 . 12 killed in Brunei helicopter crash . 2024-07-20 . CNN . en.
  21. Web site: Ngui . Yantoultra . 2012-07-21 . Popeski . Ron . Brunei air force helicopter crash kills 12; 2 survive . 2024-07-20 . Reuters.
  22. Web site: 2012-07-22 . Brunei air force helicopter crash kills 12, two cadets survive . 2024-07-20 . Borneo Post Online . en-US.
  23. Web site: Helicopter carrying Iranian President Raisi crashes, state media says. CNN. 20 May 2024. Jerome. Taylor . May 20, 2024.
  24. Web site: Zarracina . George Petras and Javier . Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi dies in Vietnam-era Bell 212 helicopter crash on mountain . 2024-05-21 . USA TODAY . en-US.

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