Eagle Copters and Nevada Division of Forestry Showcase Bell 212S Eagle Single at VERTICON 2026

Calgary, Alberta and Carson City, Nevada -- Eagle Copters and the Nevada Division of Forestry (NDF) are proud to announce that a Bell 212S Eagle Single – NDF 401 -- is on display at VERTICON 2026 from March 10 to 12 at the Eagle Copters booth B5407 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Operated by the Nevada Division of Forestry since 2020, the aircraft represents a long-term partnership focused on delivering high-performance, mission-ready helicopters for aerial firefighting and multi-mission forestry operations.

H-401 supports wildfire response and forestry operations in Nevada and other states. It is part of NDF’s Air Operations fleet, which has operated continuously since the late 1950s.

“We have relied on aviation support for almost 70 years,” said Eric Antle, Deputy Administrator at the Nevada Division of Forestry. “Over the decades, our agency has continued evolving our fleet to meet the growing demands of longer and more complex wildfire seasons. NDF’s priority is to ensure safe and effective wildfire response.”

Supporting Public Service Aviation

H-401 is flying from Reno, Nevada to Atlanta, Georgia to participate in VERTICON 2026, where it will be positioned on display at the Eagle Copters booth. Eagle Copters is funding the aircraft’s participation at the show, including travel and logistics support, as part of its continued commitment to the partnership.

“The Eagle Single continues to be a strong asset in our firefighting operations,” said Kris Kirkland, Chief Pilot at the Nevada Division of Forestry. “Performance, reliability, and operational efficiency are critical for our mission. We value our partnership with Eagle Copters and appreciate their support in showcasing this aircraft at VERTICON.”

A Proven Firefighting Platform

The Bell 212S Eagle Single is Eagle Copters’ proprietary conversion of the twin engine Bell 212 platform to a single Ozark Aeroworks (Honeywell) T53 engine configuration. Built on the 212 airframe and powered by the T53, the Eagle Single is a modern civilian evolution of the Huey platform, combining legacy capability with contemporary supportability and operational efficiency.

With 20 Eagle Single conversions completed and more than 40,000 fleet flight hours accumulated across the platform, the aircraft has demonstrated reliability in wildfire suppression, external load operations, crew transport, and utility missions. For operators facing demanding environments and high operational tempo, the Eagle Single delivers strong hot and high performance while streamlining powerplant maintenance and reducing operating complexity.

Founded more than 50 years ago, Eagle Copters has built its reputation on supporting mission critical rotary wing operations worldwide. The Eagle Single platform reflects that experience, bringing together engineering capability, field support, and practical operational insight.

Attendees are invited to visit Eagle Copters at booth B5407 during VERTICON 2026 to learn more about the Bell 212S Eagle Single platform, its certification advantages, and its proven performance in modern aerial firefighting operations.