|
Bell 206 JetRanger Bell 206 B The Bell 206 JetRanger was initially designed to compete in a US Army light observation helicopter [LOH] competition. Bell lost that competition but the 206 was commercially successful. Modified for the commercial market, the aircraft has proved to be widely successful with a large production run (including under licence by Augusta) and several derivatives. The prototype first flew in January 1966 and the commercial Model 206A began delivery early in 1967. The uprated Model 206B Jetranger II went into production in 1971 The Bell 206 Jet Ranger light helicopter has accommodation for two pilots plus three passengers. The world’s most popular series of single-engine helicopters earned its fame the hard way: 7,300 JetRangers produced in civilian and military missions worldwide logging over 38 million flight hours. The 206's history of reliability – best safety record among all single-engine aircraft – its mission flexibility and low operating and maintenance costs have long made the JetRanger a favorite of the energy industry. A small news or traffic helicopter (typically a Bell Jet Ranger) costs from $700K to $1.2M. The Bell 206 JetRanger is undoubtedly the most well-known of all rotorcraft. This light utility turbine powered aircraft has proven itself repeatedly in aerial cinematography. It's extremely versatile, relatively inexpensive to rent, practically all commercial camera mounts have been designed for it and, in one version or another, is probably the most readily obtainable helicopter worldwide. The safety and reliability record of the JetRanger is considered to be the standard of the industry.
|
