The Bell Model 206 JetRanger is one of the most successful helicopter designs in the world. The design originated in the mid-1960s as an entry in a US Army competiton for a light observation (scout) helicopter. Although Bell lost the contract, the Model 206 "JetRanger" entered the civilian market in 1967. Although the Model 206 has been overhauled three times, the basic shape and design are unchanged since 1967. The JetRanger is popular with news media for traffic and news reporting.

The Bell 206 is a two-rotor, turbine powered ship with a conventional, two-bladed tail rotor. The aircraft uses hydraulic flight controls. The Model 206-B3 is the "original" five-seat model, while the 206-L4 is the "stretch" seven-seat version (a.k.a., "LongRanger"). Both versions have two individual seats up front and a three seat bench in the back; the LongRanger adds two rear-facing seats in between the front and rear seats. The model 206s is typically flown by a single pilot, who sits in the front right seat.

The Model 206 design has yielded a number of detivative aircraft, including the 407 and military OH-58 Kiowa. Both of these use a new, 4-bladed rotor system that offers reduced vibration and noise.

Specifications (206-B3)

General Characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Capacity: 4 (206-B3)
• Length: 39 ft 1 in (11.9 m)
• Main rotor diameter: 33 ft 4 in (10.16 m)
• Height: 2.83 m (9 ft 4in)
• Main rotor area: 872 ft² (81.1 m²)
• Empty: 1,632 lb (742 kg)
• Loaded: 3,200 lb (1,452 kg)
• Maximum takeoff: 3,350 lb (1,520 kg)
• Powerplant: 1x Allison 250 -C20J, 420 shp (313 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 139 mph (224 km/h)
• Range: 437 miles (704 km)
• Service ceiling: 13,500 ft (4,115 m)
• Rate of climb: 1,280 ft/min (390 m/min)
• Main rotor loading: 4 lb/ft² (18 kg/m²)
• Power/Mass: 0.26 hp/lb (0.42 kW/kg)

External link

• Bell Model 206 history at globalsecurity.org

Related content

Related development: OH-58 Kiowa - Bell 407

Comparable aircraft:

Designation sequence: 201 - 204 - 205 - 206 - 207 - 209 - 212