Bell
212 Helicopter
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The
Bell 212 helicopter is extremely versatile in mission
profile and operational parameters. It can be flown from
a hover up to speeds of 120 knots. Standard configuration
allows for mission equipment plus equipment operators
and one or two pilots. However, with the scientific equipment
removed, seating for up to 13 scientists/technicians may
be installed. The Bell 212 has been a part of the AOC
inventory since 1986 and will continue to provide service
well into the future. The Bell 212 is transportable on
cargo airplanes for relocation to distant work sites and
international operations. NOAA possesses one of these
medium sized utility helicopters. NOAA’s Bell 212
helicopter has been used for a variety of scientific missions
including Everglades aerial surveys, nautical charting
via laser hydrography, moving base camps in the arctic,
tracking polar bears for tagging, establishing geodetic
bench-marks in remote locations, filming waterspouts,
surveying coastlines, assessing oil spill damage, low-level
survey work, logistical support for environmental studies
along with base security flights as needed in support
of homeland security since September 11, 2001.
| STANDARD
AIRCRAFT SPECIFICATIONS
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| Type:
|
BELL
212 (UH-1N) Helicopter |
| Type
Engines: |
2
Pratt & Whitney PT6T-3 Twinpac 1800 shaft horsepower |
| Crew: |
1
or 2 pilots and up to 13-14 Scientists/Technicians
|
| Service
Ceiling: |
12,500
feet |
| Airspeed: |
Hover
to 130 knots |
| Max.
Gross Weight: |
11,200
pounds (5080 kilograms) |
| Empty
Weight: |
7,200
pounds (3266 kilograms) |
| Useful
Load: |
4,000
pounds (1814 kilograms) (fuel, personnel, cargo) |
| Fuel
Load: |
1430
pounds (220 gallons) - standard fuel load
1170 pounds (180 gallons) - additional capability
with the addition of two auxiliary fuel tanks |
| Type
Fuel: |
Jet
A, Jet B, JP4, JP8 |
| Fuel
Burn Rate: |
625
pounds/hour (~100 gallons/hour) |
| Range
(normal): |
225
Nautical miles ~2.3 hours @100 knots |
| Range
(w/aux. fuel): |
375
Nautical miles ~3.5 hours @100 knots |
| Dimensions
(external): |
Main
rotor span - 48 feet
Total length - 57.25 feet
Tail rotor height - 14.6 feet |
| Dimensions
(internal): |
92"
L x 96" W (at widest point) x 50"H |
| Useable
Volumes: |
Cabin
- 220 cubic feet
Baggage Compartment – 84" L x 21"
W x 21" H (aft) 27" H (forward)
Aft Baggage Compartment- 28 cubic feet up to 400
pounds |
| Navigation: |
Two
GPS receivers
One Radar Altimeter
Instrument Landing System (ILS)
Two VORs with DME
Automatic Direction Finder (ADF) |
| Communication: |
One
UHF Radio (225-400 Megahertz)
Two VHF Radios (117-135 Megahertz)
One HF Radio (2-30 Megahertz)
One Marine Band FM/VHF Radio (150-174 Megahertz)
Transponder with Mode C
Intercom system |
Additional
Equipment/Capabilities:
- Cargo
Hook for external loads up to 3,000 pounds
- Emergency
Pop-out Floats for over-water operations
- Rotor
brake for ship operations
- Snow
Skis for ice and soft sand landings
- High
skid gear for underslung equipment
- Front
crosstube belly to ground clearance- 45 inches
- Rear
crosstube belly to ground clearance - 41 inches
- Direction-finding
capability in the VHF radio range
- Helicopter
is transportable on cargo airplane
- Dual
RS232 outputs for GPS read-out of aircraft position
- All
communication radios are accessible from the
passenger
- compartment
via the intercom system
- Power
drop for laptop computers
- Internal
fuel tanks for extended range
- Additional
customized antenna mounts for differential GPS
- AC
power available in various configurations (up
to 150 amps)
- 28
Volt DC Power
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Florida
Everglades Project
(Photo, attachment 212 photo 3 on left side of text
or top of text, your choice)
The Bell 212 routinely flies missions in support of
the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Project (CERP).
The CERP provides a framework and guide to restore,
protect, and preserve the water resources of central
and southern Florida, including the Everglades. It covers
16 counties over an 18,000-square-mile area, located
in the vicinity of the Central & Southern Florida
(C&SF) Project. The current C&SF Project includes
1,000 miles of canals, 720 miles of levees, and several
hundred water control structures. The CERP has been
described as the world's largest ecosystem restoration
effort and includes more than 60 major components. The
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was given the authority
to re-evaluate the performance and impacts of the C&SF
Project and to recommend improvements and or modifications
to the project in order to restore the southern Florida
ecosystem and to provide for other water resource needs.
NOAA’s Bell 212 routinely takes members of the
study teams on the Florida Everglades National Park
in support of the Army Corps of Engineers and Environmental
Protection Agency. The versatility of the Bell 212 makes
it an ideal platform for operating in and landing at
remote locations in the Everglades. The size of the
212 provides adequate space for personnel, and any necessary
equipment. The CERP was approved in the Water Resources
Development Act of 2000 and will take more than 30 years
to complete. The NOAA Bell 212 will continue to be a
valuable asset in support of the CERP program.
For
further information please visit http://fl.water.usgs.gov/CERP/cerp.html. |
