The Bell 412 is a utility helicopter of the Huey family manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It is a development of the Bell 212, with the major difference being the composite four-blade main rotor. It is a twin-turbine helicopter that has been popular on the civilian and military markets, and major users include Canada, Italy, and Japan. Several hundred have been produced since its introduction in 1979, and several iterations of upgrades and variations have been produced, such as with upgraded cockpit electronics.
It has been manufactured under license in Italy as the Agusta-Bell AB412, in Indonesia by Indonesian Aerospace, and in Japan by Subaru. The Canadian Bell 412 was produced in Canada, but it was already the location of the main Bell Textron factory.
Design and development
Development began in the late 1970s, with two Bell 212s being converted into 412 prototypes. An advanced four-blade main rotor with a smaller diameter replaced the 212's two-blade rotor. A Bell 412 prototype first flew in August 1979. The initial model was certified in January 1981, with deliveries commencing in the same month.[2] The 412 model was followed by the 412SP (Special Performance) version, which featured a larger fuel capacity, a higher takeoff weight, and optional seating arrangements. In 1991, the 412HP (High Performance) variant with improved transmission replaced the SP version in production.[2]
In the early 2000s, Bell offered the Bell 412EP as its Bell 412 LUH entrant in the U.S. Army Light Utility Helicopter program, where it competed against several other light helicopters for an order.[3]
The current production version, 412EP (Enhanced Performance), is equipped with a dual digital automatic flight control system. In 2013, Bell introduced the 412EPI, which includes an electronic (digital) engine control for a PT6T-9 engine upgrade and a glass cockpit display system similar to the Bell model 429. Also featured is a Garmin touchscreen navigation system, and the BLR Strake and Fast Fin upgrades for improved hover performance.[4]Over 700 Model 412s (including 260 by AgustaWestland) have been built.[5][unreliable source?]
The helicopter is powered by the Pratt and Whitney Canada twin-pack power plant with two turboshaft engines and has achieved the lowest in-flight shut-down rate of aircraft turboshaft engines. If one engine is shut down, a single engine can produce emergency power for 30 minutes. [6]
The aircraft has been produced in Montreal, Canada, in Italy under license by Agusta, in Indonesia by Indonesian Aerospace, and also in Japan by Subaru (Fuji Heavy Industries).[7] The Bell 412 was also initially manufactured in Texas, USA.[8]
The emergency medical configuration can carry 6 patients/wounded and two attendants, or two stretchers and up to four attendants. [6]
By 2022, over 1300 Bell 412 helicopters had been delivered.[9]
Variants
Bell 412
Standard Model with P&WC PT6T-3B
Bell 412SP
Special Performance version with P&WC PT6T-3BF engines
Bell 412HP
High performance version with P&WC PT6T-3BG or -3D engines
On April 4, 1991, a Bell 412SP collided in mid-air with a Piper Aerostar over Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania, during an improvised attempt to inspect the Aerostar's landing gear. The accident killed all five people on both aircraft, including United States senator John Heinz, along with two children on the ground. The collision was attributed to poor judgment by the pilots of both aircraft.[62][63]
On December 7, 2023, a Bell 412EP operated by the Guyanese military went down carrying 2 crew and 5 senior officers at the border between Venezuela and Guyana during bad weather.[66][67]
Specifications (412EP)
Data from International Directory of Civil Aircraft,[68] Bell 412EP Product Specifications[69]
General characteristics
Crew: one-two pilots
Capacity: up to 13 passengers, maximum external load of almost 6,614 lb (3,000 kg)[5]
Length: 56 ft 1 in (17.09 m) including rotors
Fuselage length: 43 ft (13 m)
Height: 15 ft 0 in (4.57 m)
Empty weight: 6,789 lb (3,079 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 11,900 lb (5,398 kg)
Blade sections:root: Boeing VR-7; tip: Wortmann FX 71-H-080[70]
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