This article is about the civil versions and operators of the Bell 212. For the military versions and operators, seeUH-1N Twin Huey. For an overview of the whole Huey family of aircraft, seeBell Huey family. For the computer modem, seeBell 212A.
TheBell 212 (also known as theBell Two-Twelve) is a two-blade, twin-engine, mediumhelicopter that first flew in 1968. Originally manufactured byBell Helicopter inFort Worth, Texas,United States, production was moved toMirabel, Quebec,Canada in 1988, along with all Bell commercial helicopter production after that plant opened in 1986.[2][3]
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.
Based on the stretched fuselageBell 205, the Bell 212 was originally developed for theCanadian Forces as theCUH-1N and later redesignated as theCH-135. The Canadian Forces took delivery of 50 starting in May 1971. At the same time theUnited 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 byHelicopter Service AS of Norway to be used in support ofoffshore drilling; it proved popular across the offshore sector in particular as it had been certified for operating under marginal weather conditions.[4] Today, the 212 can be found used in logging operations, maritime rescue and resupply in the Arctic on theDistant Early Warning Line orNorth Warning System.
The 212 is powered by aPratt & Whitney Canada PT6T-3 Twin-Pac made up of two coupledPT6 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 thePeople's Republic of China.
TheICAO designator for this aircraft as used in aflight plan is "B212". Bell developed the Model 212 further with theBell 412; the major difference being the composite four-blade main rotor. The last Bell 212 was delivered in 1998.[1]
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