Certification Flight Testing of the Bell 412EPI Increased Gross Weight Helicopter

This paper presents a summary of the certification flight test program of the new Bell 412EPI Increased Gross Weight helicopter. Flight testing is described which supports an increase in the maximum gross weight of the Bell 412EPI from 11,900 lb to 12,200 lb. Measured data for a variety of flight conditions are presented, including CAT A rejected and continued takeoffs, height-velocity landings, simulated engine failures at high speed, static and dynamic stability, and ground resonance. Hover performance, low-speed controllability, and external loads testing are also discussed. A new CAT A backup procedure is developed that is applicable to both ground level and elevated heliports. This new procedure results in increased performance and reduced helipad size requirements. CAT A capability increased by 650 lb gross weight at 2,000 ft altitude, and increased altitude capability by 5,000 ft at 9,150 lb gross weight.