The Helicopter

A Bell 412 with a mission...

The Service's air and medical crews complete an average of one life-saving mission each day

The Snowy Hydro SouthCare Bell 412 helicopter is a critical tool for the medical care of people located in the ACT and south eastern NSW. Unlike fixed-wing aircraft, the Bell 412 flies through the air by generating lift through the rotation of six rotor blades. Two of the blades are vertically positioned at the tail of the aircraft to stabilize it and four are horizontally positioned around the main rotor shaft to give it lift. Contrary to popular belief, it is not the speed of the blades rotation that move the helicopter up or down, but the pilot's subtle adjustment of the position of the blades.

A helicopter is an optimal rescue vehicle because it can travel swiftly and with less difficulty than a road vehicle - and can do so over any type of terrain, land or sea. In addition, the helicopter can hover in the air, allowing the Snowy Hydro SouthCare crews to rescue people from locations where the helicopter is unable to land. Once a patient is in the helicopter and the crew are back on board, the paramedic(s) and doctor begin any necessary medical treatment and the pilot shuttles the Bell 412 to the nearest hospital that can provide the necessary level of care.

As a magnificent life-saving tool, Snowy Hydro SouthCare's helicopter is specially fitted with instruments that make it easier for the crews to retrieve patients and enable the transfer of up to four stretcher patients at once.

Here are just a few of the helicopter's special fittings and equipment: Snowy Hydro SouthCare's pilots complete a tremendous amount of training so they are ready for any situation.

Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR):
To assist in search and rescue missions, the helicopter is fitted with a Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) device. FLIR is a thermal imaging system used to locate items or people that are warmer than their surroundings. The camera on the device, known as a FLIR Ball, can be turned in any direction and can also be used as a conventional film camera.
Long Range Fuel Tanks:
These tanks are located around the base of the Snowy Hydro SouthCare's Bell 412. These tanks allow the helicopter to stay in the air for extra flying time rather than needing to stop for refuelling.
Bambi Bucket:
A Bambi Bucket attaches to the bottom of the helicopter and is used to assist the Rural Fire Service in fighting bushfires. The Bambi Bucket can hold up to 1000 litres of water which the pilot can pick up from nearby lakes, swimming pools or other water sources.
The winch cable is used by aircrewmen to rescue people when the helicopter is unable to land, photo by Miguel GallagherWinching cable:
A 90-metre winching cable with a 1,497kg breaking strain is located on the pilot's side of the helicopter. The winch cable is used to hoist patients into the helicopter from areas where the aircraft is unable to land. During a winching operation, the communication between all the members of the air and medical crew is critical to completing a mission safely.
Nitesun:
Attached under the nose of the helicopter is a 30-million-candlepower light also known as the Nitesun. This device allows crews to locate mission sites from the air at night or when adverse weather conditions create poor visibility.
Bear Paws:
Fitted to the bottom of the helicopter, bear paws are large, flat panels attached to the helicopter's skids. Bear paws keep the helicopter from sinking into soft ground, like snow or sand. Snowy Hydro SouthCare's Senior Base Engineer completes maintenance on the helicopter for every 25 hours of flying time.
Wire Cutters:
Wire cutters are fitted on the top and bottom of the helicopter to cut any undetected powerlines or cables that the helicopter encounters. This is an extra safety precaution as crews are constantly in communication with local officials to avoid any dangers that may be located at a mission site.

Snowy Hydro SouthCare's Bell 412 Specifications

  • Cargo Area - 2.3 metres by 2.4 metres with a maximum height of 1.3 metres
  • Fuel Tank Capacity - 1400 litres
  • Fuel Duration - 3.5 hours
  • Fuel Flow - 400 litres/hour @ 120kts
  • Fuselage (or body) - 14 metres
  • Height - 3.5 metres
  • Maximum Weight - 5,390 kg
  • Maximum Speed - 140 kts
  • Rotor Diameter - 14 metres
  • Secondary Power - 115 volt AC
  • Skids - 2.8 metres by 3.7 metres
  • Tail Rotor - 2.6 metres
  • Total length - 17 metres
  • Power Plant - Twinpac Pratt & Whitney PT6T-3B @ 1800 SHP
  • Primary Power - 28 volt DC