Bell 412 aircraft profile, variants and specifications

Aircraft overview

The Bell 412 develops the Bell 212 around a four-bladed composite main rotor. It retains skid landing gear, an all-metal utility fuselage and a PT6T Twin-Pac, but its rotor dimensions, fuel arrangements and weight limits differ from the 212.

FAA Category B approval followed on 9 January 1981, with Category A approval on 31 August 1983. The SP, HP and EP developments introduced further changes to fuel capacity, power installation and flight-control equipment.

Black and yellow Griffin helicopter in flight, seen from the side with its complete visible main rotor, long tail, tail rotor and skids. — Bell 412EP Griffin HT1 ZJ707 at Fairford, 22 July 2013. This 2002-built EP is a later version; the specification below describes the early Bell 412.
Photograph: Alan Wilson · 2013-07-22 · Photo source: Bell Griffin HT1 ZJ707 O (9444710853) · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Unmodified photograph.

At a glance

Early Bell 412 · serials 33001–33107, PT6T-3B

Powerplant: PT6T-3B Twin-PacTwo turbine power sections coupled through a combining gearbox.
Main / tail rotor: Four / two blades14.02 m / 2.62 m diameters.
Fuselage length / skid width: 12.70 m / 2.85 mBody and hull/skid dimensions.
Maximum mass: 11,600 lb · 5,262 kgEarly serials 33001–33107; later configurations differ.
Usable fuel: 211.4 US gal · approximately 800 litresEarly tank configuration.
Cabin: One pilot + 14 passengersOr two crew + 13 passengers.

In Air Defender

Role guidance · v0.8.16.0

Air Defender v0.8.16.0 lists the Bell 412 as an offshore utility helicopter associated with support flights in both the northern and southern North Sea.

Compare the Bell 212 and the larger Super Puma. Flight-plan information provides context for a selected contact.

Game catalogue values · v0.8.16.0

In-game specifications

These figures come from the game’s general aircraft reference. A matching civilian register entry can supply different fields in Aircraft Data. How to read the two layouts →

Role: Offshore Utility Helicopter
Category: Light Helicopter
Service ceiling: 20,000 ftA reference upper height. Read Flight Info for the contact’s present height.
Maximum speed: 140 knotsA reference maximum, not the speed the aircraft is flying now.
Cruise speed: 122 knotsA typical speed for the main part of a flight, not a guaranteed commanded speed.
Stall speed: Not specified as a stall-speed valueA zero in the game catalogue means no usable stall-speed figure is supplied; it does not mean the rotor blades cannot stall. FAA helicopter handbook: rotor-blade stall →
Typical range: 350 NMA reference flying distance, not fuel remaining or radar detection range.
Typical crew: 2
Powerplant: Twin turboshaft engines (Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T Twin-Pac) Compare engine types →
Manufacturer: Bell Helicopter (USA)

Understand speed, ceiling, range and the units →

Use the right procedure

How do I read the Aircraft Data tab?What do aircraft speed, ceiling and range figures mean?How do I check a Mode S address against the aircraft register?How do I compare a track with its flight information?How do I call ATC about a track?How should I investigate a track before identifying it?

In depth

The four-bladed development

The 412’s main rotor has four composite blades and a 14.02 m diameter. Its two-bladed tail rotor is 2.62 m across. These dimensions distinguish it from the two-bladed 212.

The rotor head incorporates elastomeric bearings and dampers. These flexible components accommodate movement within the rotor system; the design is more than a simple addition of two blades to the 212 rotor.

Power sections and transmission

The early 412 uses a PT6T-3B Twin-Pac, with two turbine power sections connected to a combining gearbox. Clutches allow operation with both sections or a single section.

Later approved installations use other PT6T models. Their engine ratings, control systems and transmission limits belong to the named configuration rather than to every aircraft carrying a Bell 412 label.

Cabin and loading

The passenger layout allows fourteen passengers with one pilot, or thirteen passengers with two crew. Baggage is limited to 181 kg in the designated compartment, subject to its floor-loading limit.

The early 33001–33107 series has an 11,600 lb maximum mass. The later 33108–33213 and 36001–36086 ranges have an 11,900 lb limit, with their own approved fuel and equipment arrangements.

SP, HP and EP developments

The SP, or Special Performance, has increased fuel capacity and a higher weight limit than the early 412. The HP adds a PT6T-3BE installation, an improved transmission and pilot-controlled engine trim.

The EP develops the HP with a PT6T-3D installation and improved one-engine-inoperative capability. A Honeywell SPZ-7600 three-axis dual digital automatic flight-control system replaces the earlier analogue system.

Fuel configurations

The early tank installation provides 211.4 US gallons of usable fuel. Later 412 configurations carry more fuel, so a range or endurance figure needs the specific model, load and operating conditions.

Additional fuel increases endurance only within the aircraft’s loading limits. It also uses part of the weight available for passengers, baggage and mission equipment.

Variants

Early 412

Serials 33001–33107; 11,600 lb maximum mass.

412SP

Increased weight and fuel capacity; serials 33108–33213 and 36001–36019.

412HP / EP

HP changes engine, transmission and trim; EP adds the PT6T-3D and dual digital flight controls.

References and further reading