Aircraft Factfile and
Recognition Guide - CH-146 Griffon
Background
The Bell Helicopter Textron CH-146 Griffon is the Canadian
military variant of the Bell 412EP, a multi-use utility helicopter. It
is essentially an extensively updated version of the famed UH-1 Huey,
with a four-bladed composite rotor, twin engines (a Twin-Pac), and a
number of advanced control systems to ease pilot workload and smooth
the ride. Like the UH-1, the CH-146 is used in a wide variety of roles,
including aerial firepower, reconnaissance and aero-mobility tasks. In
2007, the CH-146 is also one of the four aircraft taught to medical
personnel in the Canadian Aeromedical Evacuation school.
The Griffin is built at Mirabel, Quebec, at the Bell Canadian plant.
They are delivered in one of two configurations, the Combat Support
Squadron (CSS) version for search and rescue missions, and the Utility
Tactical Transport Helicopter (UTTH), which carries a crew of three and
an eight-man section.
The Canadian Forces have purchased 100 airframes in total; 89 are
serving in Tactical Helicopter Squadrons in Edmonton, Alberta; Toronto
and Petawawa, Ontario; Valcartier, Quebec; and Gagetown, New Brunswick.
The rest of the aircraft are being used in search-and-rescue roles at
fighter Combat Support Squadrons in Cold Lake, Alberta; and Bagotville,
Quebec; as well as reserve air force units including 400 Squadron at
CFB Borden, and 438 Squadron in St-Hubert, Quebec.
One interesting feature of the Griffon is a small camera mounted in the
nose of the aircraft pointed up at the rotor. By observing a small
yellow paint stripe on the rotor, the autopilot can detect the classic
"hoola-hoop" motion and correct it, smoothing the ride.
Specifications
Rotorspan: 14 m
Height: 4.6 m
Weight: 5,355 kg
Powerplant: Pratt
& Whitney Canada PT6T-3D engine
Speed: 220 km/h
(cruise) up to 260 km/h (maximum speed)
Range: 656 km (with
full tanks)
Armament: 7.62 mm C6
door guns
Passengers: 12 + 3 crew
Crew: Two pilots, one
flight engineer
Litter capacity: 6
stretchers
© 2007-2010 Steven Holzinger