Bell to enhance performance of 412EP

Bell Helicopters will be extending the
performance and capabilities of the 412EP helicopter, these upgrades are
planned to be available to customers in 2012.

The company is undertaking a Supplemental
Type Certificate (STC) project that will extend the performance of the 412EP.
The STC consists of an engine change and cockpit upgrade and will come as
either a 3-axis or 4-axis option.

With the engine upgrade Bell are working in partnership with Pratt
& Whitney, both expects to increase performance of the engine and will
introduce an Electronic Engine Control. The upgrade also should provide an
opportunity in the future to increase the range and payload of the Bell 412EP.

The cockpit will be based on the new
‘Glass Cockpit’ and some elements will come from the cockpit of the new Bell 429. This will
provide commonality in the cockpits of Bell’s
light and medium twin helicopters, giving rise to easier pilot familiarity and
maintenance training.

Other upgrades planned for the 412EP include
a tail rotor upgrade that eliminates the need for pre-flight visual inspection
and a Communication System Upgrade that will be compatible with civil standard
headsets, eliminating the need for military-style, low-impedance microphones
and earpieces.