AgustaWestland AW109 vs Bell 412: Specs Compared

AgustaWestland AW109 — licensed reference photograph

AHelicopters

AgustaWestland AW109

Search and rescue / utility helicopter

Credit

Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK · CC BY 2.0 · Resized · CC BY 2.0 · Source ↗ · Modified

Bell 412 — licensed reference photograph

BHelicopters

Bell 412

Multipurpose utility helicopter

Credit

Sardaka · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source ↗ · Modified

First system

Second system

At a glance

Side by side

Length comparisonOne shared metre scale

AgustaWestland AW109AW109 Power with PW206C · fuselage

11.448 m

Length source ↗

Bell 412Bell 412EP · including rotors

17.09 m

Length source ↗

Lengths retain their source configuration and measurement scope.

Measured figures

Head to head

18 of 31 rows sourced on both sides

11.45mAW109 Power with PW206C · fuselage

17.09mBell 412EP · including rotors

LengthScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

11.448 m

AW109 Power with PW206C · fuselage

Single source

11.448 m (37 ft 7 in) fuselage^[source]

17.09 m

Bell 412EP · including rotors

Single source

56 ft 1 in (17.09 m) including rotors^[source]

11m

14.02mBell 412EP · Main rotor diameter

Rotor diameterScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

11 m

AW109 Power with PW206C · Main rotor diameter

Single source

11.00 m (36 ft 1 in)^[source]

14.02 m

Bell 412EP · Main rotor diameter

Single source

46 ft 0 in (14.02 m)^[source]

3.5mAW109 Power with PW206C · Height

4.57mBell 412EP · Height

HeightScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

3.5 m

AW109 Power with PW206C · Height

Single source

3.50 m (11 ft 6 in)^[source]

4.57 m

Bell 412EP · Height

Single source

15 ft 0 in (4.57 m)^[source]

2.9t

5.4t

MassScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

1,590 kg

Empty; AW109 Power with PW206C · Empty weight

Single source

2,850 kg

Maximum take-off; AW109 Power with PW206C · Max takeoff weight

Single source

1,590 kg (3,505 lb)^[source]

2,850 kg (6,283 lb)^[source]

3,079 kg

Empty; Bell 412EP · Empty weight

Single source

5,398 kg

Maximum take-off; Bell 412EP · Max takeoff weight

Single source

311km/h

260km/hMaximum; Bell 412EP · Maximum speed

SpeedScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

285 km/h

Cruise; AW109 Power with PW206C · Cruise speed

Single source

311 km/h

Maximum; AW109 Power with PW206C · Maximum speed

Single source

311 km/h (193 mph, 168 kn)^[source]

285 km/h (177 mph, 154 kn)^[source]

226 km/h

Cruise; Bell 412EP · Cruise speed

Single source

260 km/h

Maximum; Bell 412EP · Maximum speed

Single source

932km

980kmBell 412EP · Range

RangeScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

932 km

Ferry; AW109 Power with PW206C · Ferry range

Single source

932 km (579 mi, 503 nmi)^[source]

980 km

Bell 412EP · Range

Single source

529 nmi (609 mi, 980 km)^[source]

418kW

930kW

PowerScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

418 kW

AW109 Power with PW206C · 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206C Turboshaft engine each

Single source

2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206C Turboshaft engine, 418 kW (560 hp) each^[source]

930 kW

Bell 412EP · 1 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T-3D Twin-Pac or PT6T-3DF Twin-Pac coupled turboshaft engine - each, 1,250 shp (

Single source

1 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T-3D Twin-Pac or PT6T-3DF Twin-Pac coupled turboshaft engine - each, 1,250 shp (930 kW)^[source]

9.8m/sAW109 Power with PW206C · 1,930 ft/min

6.9m/sBell 412EP · 1,350 ft/min (

Rate of climbScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

9.8 m/s

AW109 Power with PW206C · 1,930 ft/min

Single source

9.8 m/s (1,930 ft/min)^[source]

6.9 m/s

Bell 412EP · 1,350 ft/min (

Single source

1,350 ft/min (6.9 m/s)^[source]

5,974m

6,100mBell 412EP · Service ceiling

Service ceiling

All recorded figures & sources

5,974 m

Service ceiling

Single source

5 974 m (19 600 ft )^[source]

6,100 m

Bell 412EP · Service ceiling

Single source

20,000 ft (6,100 m)^[source]

Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.

Configuration

Details

AgustaWestland AW109 and Bell 412 configuration
Specification	AgustaWestland AW109	Bell 412
Crew	1 or 2^[source]	one-two pilots^[source]
Type	Search and rescue / utility helicopter^[source]	Multipurpose utility helicopter^[source]
Manufacturer	Agusta AgustaWestland Leonardo^[source]	Bell Helicopter^[source]
Status	In production^[source]	—
Primary users	Italian Army Rega (Swiss Air Rescue) South African Air Force Royal New Zealand Air Force^[source]	Japan Ground Self Defence Force See Operators for others^[source]
Manufactured	1971–present^[source]	1979–present^[source]
Introduction date	1976^[source]	1981 ( 1981 )^[source]
First flight	4 August 1971 ( 1971-08-04 )^[source]	August 1979 ( 1979-08 )^[source]
Variant	AgustaWestland AW109S Grand^[source]	Bell CH-146 Griffon^[source]
Developed into	AgustaWestland AW119 Koala^[source]	—
Capacity	6 or 7 passengers^[source]	up to 13 passengers, maximum external load of almost 6,614 lb (3,000 kg)^[source]
Never exceed speed	311 km/h (193 mph, 168 kn)^[source]	—
Role	lightweight, twin-engine, eight-seat multi-purpose helicopter^[source]	—
Source measurement	Optional mission equipment for the AW109 has included dual controls, a rotor brake, windshield wipers, a fixed cargo hook, snow skis, external loudspeakers , wire-strike protection system, engine particle separator, engine compartment fire extinguishers, datalink , and rappelling fittings. A range of armaments can be installed upon the AW109, including pintle -mounted machine guns , machine gun pods , 20mm cannons , rocket pods, anti-tank missiles and air-to-air missiles. Those AW109s operated by the U.S. Coast Guard , later designated as MH-68A , had the following equipment installed: a rescue hoist, emergency floats, FLIR , Spectrolab NightSun search light, a 7.62 mm M240D machine gun and a Barrett M107 semi-automatic 12.7 mm (.50 caliber) anti-material rifle with laser sight.^[source]AgustaWestland AW109 · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage During 1982, the Argentine Army Aviation deployed three A109As to the Falkland Islands during the Falklands War . They operated with the helicopter fleet (9 UH-1H, 2 CH-47C and 2 Pumas) in reconnaissance and liaison roles. One of the helicopters was destroyed on the ground by a British Harrier attack; the others were captured and sent to Europe aboard HMS Fearless . The British Army Air Corps decided to use those helicopters in domestic operations (being flown by 8 Flight AAC to support SAS regiment deployments in the UK), alongside two additional A109 which were purchased later following favorable use of the first two; all were retired in 2009. The improved AW109E and SP – GrandNew versions were operated by No. 32 Squadron of the Royal Air Force to transport Government ministers, senior military personnel, and members of the British royal family .^[source]AgustaWestland AW109 · Operational history; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage During August 2008, Scott Kasprowicz and Steve Sheik broke the round-the-world speed record using a factory-standard AgustaWestland AW109S Grand , with a time of 11 days, 7 hours and 2 minutes. The AW109S Grand is also recorded as being the fastest helicopter from New York to Los Angeles .^[source]AgustaWestland AW109 · Operational history; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage On 17 June 2000 accident involving an Agusta A109E Power air ambulance (registration G-TVAA). At about 300 feet, a bang from the gearbox occurred, followed by an immediate near-loss of control. The pilot performed a forced autorotation into a field near Arborfield Cross, Berkshire, resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft but only minor injuries. The bang and loss of control resulted from the fracture of the lower swash plate scissors link. Investigators from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch determined that the link had been incorrectly reassembled by maintenance personnel just 3 hours and 10 minutes (or one day) before the flight. This failure severed the link between the rotating controls and the main rotor blades.^[source]AgustaWestland AW109 · Accidents; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage On 24 December 2018 ( 2018-12-24 ) : in the 2018 Puebla helicopter crash , an AW109 taking off from an airport on the outskirts of Puebla on a flight to Mexico City crashed about 3.5 miles north of the airport. Governor Martha Érika Alonso and former Governor Rafael Moreno Valle Rosas died in this incident.^[source]AgustaWestland AW109 · Accidents; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Capacity: 6 or 7 passengers^[source]AgustaWestland AW109 · Specifications (AW109 Power with PW206C) 2850 Kilo version; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Length: 11.448 m (37 ft 7 in) fuselage^[source]AgustaWestland AW109 · Specifications (AW109 Power with PW206C) 2850 Kilo version; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Height: 3.50 m (11 ft 6 in)^[source]AgustaWestland AW109 · Specifications (AW109 Power with PW206C) 2850 Kilo version; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Empty weight: 1,590 kg (3,505 lb)^[source]AgustaWestland AW109 · Specifications (AW109 Power with PW206C) 2850 Kilo version; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Max takeoff weight: 2,850 kg (6,283 lb)^[source]AgustaWestland AW109 · Specifications (AW109 Power with PW206C) 2850 Kilo version; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206C Turboshaft engine, 418 kW (560 hp) each^[source]AgustaWestland AW109 · Specifications (AW109 Power with PW206C) 2850 Kilo version; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Main rotor diameter: 11.00 m (36 ft 1 in)^[source]AgustaWestland AW109 · Specifications (AW109 Power with PW206C) 2850 Kilo version; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Maximum speed: 311 km/h (193 mph, 168 kn)^[source]AgustaWestland AW109 · Specifications (AW109 Power with PW206C) 2850 Kilo version; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Cruise speed: 285 km/h (177 mph, 154 kn)^[source]AgustaWestland AW109 · Specifications (AW109 Power with PW206C) 2850 Kilo version; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Never exceed speed : 311 km/h (193 mph, 168 kn)^[source]AgustaWestland AW109 · Specifications (AW109 Power with PW206C) 2850 Kilo version; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Ferry range: 932 km (579 mi, 503 nmi)^[source]AgustaWestland AW109 · Specifications (AW109 Power with PW206C) 2850 Kilo version; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Rate of climb: 9.8 m/s (1,930 ft/min)^[source]AgustaWestland AW109 · Specifications (AW109 Power with PW206C) 2850 Kilo version; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage	—
Country of origin	Italy^[source] Italy^[source]	—
National origin	—	United States / Canada^[source]
Number built	—	1,300+^[source]
Developed from	—	Bell 212^[source]
Fuselage length	—	43 ft (13 m)^[source]
Blade sections	—	root: Boeing VR-7; tip: Wortmann FX 71-H-080^[source]
Main rotor area	—	1,662 sq ft (154.4 m 2 )^[source]
Power/mass	—	0.2663 hp/lb (0.4378 kW/kg)^[source]

FORCETALLY

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AgustaWestland AW109

Bell 412

Crew

1 or 2^[source]

one-two pilots^[source]

Type

Search and rescue / utility helicopter^[source]

Multipurpose utility helicopter^[source]

Manufacturer

Agusta AgustaWestland Leonardo^[source]

Bell Helicopter^[source]

Status

In production^[source]

—

Primary users

Italian Army Rega (Swiss Air Rescue) South African Air Force Royal New Zealand Air Force^[source]

Japan Ground Self Defence Force See Operators for others^[source]

Manufactured

1971–present^[source]

1979–present^[source]

Introduction date

1976^[source]

1981 ( 1981 )^[source]

First flight

4 August 1971 ( 1971-08-04 )^[source]

August 1979 ( 1979-08 )^[source]

Variant

AgustaWestland AW109S Grand^[source]

Bell CH-146 Griffon^[source]

Developed into

AgustaWestland AW119 Koala^[source]

—

Capacity

6 or 7 passengers^[source]

up to 13 passengers, maximum external load of almost 6,614 lb (3,000 kg)^[source]

Never exceed speed

311 km/h (193 mph, 168 kn)^[source]

—

Role

lightweight, twin-engine, eight-seat multi-purpose helicopter^[source]

—

Source measurement

Optional mission equipment for the AW109 has included dual controls, a rotor brake, windshield wipers, a fixed cargo hook, snow skis, external loudspeakers , wire-strike protection system, engine particle separator, engine compartment fire extinguishers, datalink , and rappelling fittings. A range of armaments can be installed upon the AW109, including pintle -mounted machine guns , machine gun pods , 20mm cannons , rocket pods, anti-tank missiles and air-to-air missiles. Those AW109s operated by the U.S. Coast Guard , later designated as MH-68A , had the following equipment installed: a rescue hoist, emergency floats, FLIR , Spectrolab NightSun search light, a 7.62 mm M240D machine gun and a Barrett M107 semi-automatic 12.7 mm (.50 caliber) anti-material rifle with laser sight.^[source]AgustaWestland AW109 · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

During 1982, the Argentine Army Aviation deployed three A109As to the Falkland Islands during the Falklands War . They operated with the helicopter fleet (9 UH-1H, 2 CH-47C and 2 Pumas) in reconnaissance and liaison roles. One of the helicopters was destroyed on the ground by a British Harrier attack; the others were captured and sent to Europe aboard HMS Fearless . The British Army Air Corps decided to use those helicopters in domestic operations (being flown by 8 Flight AAC to support SAS regiment deployments in the UK), alongside two additional A109 which were purchased later following favorable use of the first two; all were retired in 2009. The improved AW109E and SP – GrandNew versions were operated by No. 32 Squadron of the Royal Air Force to transport Government ministers, senior military personnel, and members of the British royal family .^[source]AgustaWestland AW109 · Operational history; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

During August 2008, Scott Kasprowicz and Steve Sheik broke the round-the-world speed record using a factory-standard AgustaWestland AW109S Grand , with a time of 11 days, 7 hours and 2 minutes. The AW109S Grand is also recorded as being the fastest helicopter from New York to Los Angeles .^[source]AgustaWestland AW109 · Operational history; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

On 17 June 2000 accident involving an Agusta A109E Power air ambulance (registration G-TVAA). At about 300 feet, a bang from the gearbox occurred, followed by an immediate near-loss of control. The pilot performed a forced autorotation into a field near Arborfield Cross, Berkshire, resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft but only minor injuries. The bang and loss of control resulted from the fracture of the lower swash plate scissors link. Investigators from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch determined that the link had been incorrectly reassembled by maintenance personnel just 3 hours and 10 minutes (or one day) before the flight. This failure severed the link between the rotating controls and the main rotor blades.^[source]AgustaWestland AW109 · Accidents; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

On 24 December 2018 ( 2018-12-24 ) : in the 2018 Puebla helicopter crash , an AW109 taking off from an airport on the outskirts of Puebla on a flight to Mexico City crashed about 3.5 miles north of the airport. Governor Martha Érika Alonso and former Governor Rafael Moreno Valle Rosas died in this incident.^[source]AgustaWestland AW109 · Accidents; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Capacity: 6 or 7 passengers^[source]AgustaWestland AW109 · Specifications (AW109 Power with PW206C) 2850 Kilo version; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Length: 11.448 m (37 ft 7 in) fuselage^[source]AgustaWestland AW109 · Specifications (AW109 Power with PW206C) 2850 Kilo version; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Height: 3.50 m (11 ft 6 in)^[source]AgustaWestland AW109 · Specifications (AW109 Power with PW206C) 2850 Kilo version; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Empty weight: 1,590 kg (3,505 lb)^[source]AgustaWestland AW109 · Specifications (AW109 Power with PW206C) 2850 Kilo version; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Max takeoff weight: 2,850 kg (6,283 lb)^[source]AgustaWestland AW109 · Specifications (AW109 Power with PW206C) 2850 Kilo version; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206C Turboshaft engine, 418 kW (560 hp) each^[source]AgustaWestland AW109 · Specifications (AW109 Power with PW206C) 2850 Kilo version; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Main rotor diameter: 11.00 m (36 ft 1 in)^[source]AgustaWestland AW109 · Specifications (AW109 Power with PW206C) 2850 Kilo version; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Maximum speed: 311 km/h (193 mph, 168 kn)^[source]AgustaWestland AW109 · Specifications (AW109 Power with PW206C) 2850 Kilo version; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Cruise speed: 285 km/h (177 mph, 154 kn)^[source]AgustaWestland AW109 · Specifications (AW109 Power with PW206C) 2850 Kilo version; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Never exceed speed : 311 km/h (193 mph, 168 kn)^[source]AgustaWestland AW109 · Specifications (AW109 Power with PW206C) 2850 Kilo version; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Ferry range: 932 km (579 mi, 503 nmi)^[source]AgustaWestland AW109 · Specifications (AW109 Power with PW206C) 2850 Kilo version; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Rate of climb: 9.8 m/s (1,930 ft/min)^[source]AgustaWestland AW109 · Specifications (AW109 Power with PW206C) 2850 Kilo version; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

—

Country of origin

Italy^[source]

—

National origin

—

United States / Canada^[source]

Number built

—

1,300+^[source]

Developed from

—

Bell 212^[source]

Fuselage length

—

43 ft (13 m)^[source]

Blade sections

—

root: Boeing VR-7; tip: Wortmann FX 71-H-080^[source]

Main rotor area

—

1,662 sq ft (154.4 m 2 )^[source]

Power/mass

—

0.2663 hp/lb (0.4378 kW/kg)^[source]