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Aviation History
1981
1981 - 2165.PDF
Business AND LIGHT TRANSPORT IFBJflHHnr North Sea operators look at the 412 BELL'S 412 14/15 passenger helicop ter visited Aberdeen on June 18/19 as part of its UK sales tour. The aircraft (No 16) was flown by several experienced offshore pilots and a wide variety of staff was carried as pas sengers. Immediate and highly favourable comment was drawn by the major re duction in external noise (Bell claims 50 per cent) and vibration (up to 40 per cent less is claimed) compared with the first-generation 212, Extern ally the 412 seems quieter than the S-76, and the unpopular blade slap of the 21.2. has disappeared. At higher cruising speeds cabin internal noise levels become a little obtrusive, but otherwise it is quite possible to con verse in near-normal tones with a neighbour. The gearbox whistle could be unpleasant on long flights, but dur ing the demonstration few passengers used ear defenders. Totally absent is the Bell "bounce" on start-up and in-flight vibration is never excessive. Pilots felt that the 412 was much less tiring to fly than the 212 and its control sensitivity attracted a deal of comment. The aircraft is powered by two PT6-3Bs offering a 2]2min rating of 1,025 s.h.p. a side, and several run-on single-engine landings revealed no problems. The new transmission and gearbox accepts up to 1,350 s.h.p. for take-off and maximum continuous is 1,134 s.h.p. The 2,500hr TBO of the 212 is retained, and Bell says this should be increased in the near future. Bell's use of elastomeric bearings and other new-technology refinements in the main rotorhead has resulted in reduced maintenance requirements, and its lubrication-free operation is of special value when operating with high airborne salt concentrations. The com posite main rotor blades have an initial life of 10,000hr. Folding is achieved by removal of a single pin in each blade. No weather limit fig ures are available, but Bell says that blade folding is possible in any wind- speed in which the aircraft could operate. Aircrew in Aberdeen feel that this may be a little optimistic. For very long range and ferry flights the 412's standard 211 US gal fuel capacity can be supplemented with a further 168 US gal in auxiliary tanks. These take the place of two pairs of seats aft of the main cabin, and weigh 751b empty. They add 175 n.m. to the range and have been impact tested by being dropped from 50ft. full of fuel. Installation and removal is rapid. The standard 412 has 16 energy-absorbing seats which are designed to ensure occupant survival at impacts up to I4g. The 212 has long held a reputa tion for occupant survival despite some horrendously mangled airframes, and the new seats will enhance per sonnel protection even further. Oil-support specialists regard the 412 cabin and seating arrangements as adequate for short flights, but feel that North Sea-sized oilmen in bulky survival clothing might be somewhat cramped. The only major criticism of the 412 for oil support is its lack of baggage space, a problem Bell has to resolve if the aircraft is to operate to its full and impressive capability. Bell claims that the 412 is about 20 per cent faster than its predecessor, and although fuel flow is slightly higher, there is still a significant sav ing in seat-mile costs over almost all distances. The pop-out air bag floats have been moved from the lower fuselage to the skids to improve exit clearance should ditching occur. Cabin windows and doors can be jettisoned. Over 45 412s have been sold and other potential orders should absorb the remainder of this year's 60-unit production run. Bell plans to double output to ten aircraft a month next year and more than 20 aircraft are in service. One of Petroleum Helicopters' 412s has over 300hr. Fitted to full off shore and IFR standards the 412 costs about $1-825 million, somewhat more than the S-76 and SA.365N. Pilots and passengers alike are im pressed with 412's improvement over the 212, but there is a degree of un certainty concerning its European relevance. Most North Sea 212s are already well depreciated, and as they are employed almost totally on inter- rig shuttle flights and the like, com fort and noise are not problems. Most of the current short-range work is done by S-76s and SA.365s, but BP's Head of Transportation, Capt R. M. MacLeod, sees the 412 as a strong contender for the task now being per formed on his Forties Field by the SA.365C and, more importantly, for the much shorter sectors common in the UK sector of the North Sea. With two such opposing views, the industry will be watching the 412's progress with considerable interest. There are already "oil patch" rumours of European orders by the year's end. Short finals . . . The UK Air Taxi Operators Associa tion has published its 1981/82 Year book listing all member companies and other useful information. Free copies are available from ATOA at Hamilton House, 39 Kings Road, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 2QA, tele phone 0428 4804. Simulated Flight Training's new Bournemouth-based operation opens on July 4. The company is transfer ring all its instrument rating and other advanced training from Short finals . . . Wycombe Air Park, where it has been based since 1971. A CAA examiner will be resident for flight tests, and the company will be able to enjoy the convenience of ILS and other facilities without transit flights. Available train ing includes instrument ratings in PA23 or PA31 aircraft and simulators, and Commercial GFTs. New telephone number for the company is Christ- church (0202) 474301. Simulated Flight's Wycombe operation was featured in our article "Light aircraft simulators" in Flight for May 9. Rotary briefs... Sikorsky predicts a "Western world" sale of 29,300 helicopters between now and 1990, compared with 21,000 in the last decade. This annual 7 per cent growth adds up, with spares, to a helicopter market worth $58,000 million. Sikorsky believes that the civil-military split will be 50^50' shared equally among the USA, Europe and the rest of the world . . . Richard Bullard has been named as Safety Director of Helicopter Association International.
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