Eagle Single Helicopter Certified in Japan
Eagle Copters receives STC from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau for its Eagle Single—a re-engined Bell 212—offering reduced costs and more payload.
Eagle Copters has received approval from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau for its Eagle Single—a re-engined Bell 212—offering reduced costs and more payload. (Photo: Eagle Copters)

Eagle Copters has received supplemental type certificate approval for its Eagle Single from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau. The Eagle Single modification program replaces the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 Twinpac engines on the Bell 212 with a single 1,130-shp Ozark Aeroworks T5317A or -B engine. Ozark recently acquired the type certificate for the T53 from Honeywell.

The Eagle Single is certified in Canada, the U.S., Australia, Peru, and Indonesia. For the Japanese certification, Eagle worked with K-R Aircraft and Akagi Helicopters.

According to the company, the conversion results in a medium helicopter with 5,900 pounds empty weight and reduced operating costs. Its useful load is 5,210 pounds and seating is limited to nine passengers with single-pilot operations. The conversion also includes upgraded instrument and fuel panels and a new collective head design.

Based on the Bell 205, Bell produced the 212 for commercial operators between 1971 and 1998. Military versions of the aircraft are designated UH-1N. The aircraft was later developed into the Bell 412, which remains in production.