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Bell 206L
| Bell 206L LongRanger Bell 206LT TwinRanger | |
|---|---|
| A Canadian Helicopters Bell 206L LongRanger | |
| Type | Multipurpose utility helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Bell Helicopter Textron |
| Status | Active service |
| Developed from | Bell 206 |
| Variants | Bell 400 Bell 407 |
The Bell 206L LongRanger is a two-bladed main rotor, turbine powered helicopter with a conventional, two-bladed tail rotor. The aircraft uses hydraulic boosted flight controls. Bell 206LT TwinRanger
Contents
Development
Operational history
The JetRanger entered the civilian market in 1967. The Model 206 has since been updated three times, with the 206B "JetRanger II" arriving in 1971 and the 206B-3 "JetRanger III" with its modified tail rotor and more powerful engine in 1977. The basic shape and design remain unchanged since 1967.
The JetRanger is popular with news media for traffic and news reporting. The U.S. Army eventually selected the 206 for use as the OH-58 Kiowa, fulfilling its originally intended role. The United States Navy and Marines use 206 variants known as the TH-57 Sea Ranger. The TH-67 Creek variant is used by the U.S. Army as a trainer for helicopter students.
The 206A, and B are five-seat designs, while the 206L "LongRanger" is a stretched seven-seat version. The LongRanger has been developed to the 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 designations. In 1981 a military version was released, the 206L "TexasRanger". Both five- and seven-seaters have two seats in the front and a three seat bench in the back; the LongRanger adds two rear-facing seats in between the front and rear seats. The LongRanger is commonly used as an air ambulance (the standard JetRanger version is too short for this function).
Derived from the Model 206, the Bell 407 and OH-58D use a newer, 4-bladed, soft, in-plane rigid rotor system which offers improved performance while reducing vibration and noise. The Bell 417 is a follow-on to the 407.
The Model 206 is flown by a single pilot, who sits in the front right seat. In flight plans the ICAO designator for the JetRanger and the LongRanger is B06.
TwinRanger
Bell has tried several incarnations of a twin version of its successful Bell 206 series, including the stillborn Bell 400 and 440 of the mid 1980s, and Model 206L conversions and the limited production Bell 206LT of the early 1990s.[1]
In 1989, Tridair Helicopters' began developing a twin engine conversion of the LongRanger, the Gemini ST. The prototype's first flight was on January 16 1991, while full FAA certification was awarded in November. Certification covers the conversion of LongRanger 206L-1s, L-3s and L-4s to Gemini ST configuration.[1] In mid 1994 the Gemini ST was certificated as the first Single/Twin aircraft, allowing it to operate either as a single or twin engine aircraft throughout all phases of flight.[1]
The Bell 206LT TwinRanger was a new build production model equivalent to Tridair's Gemini ST, and was based on the 206L-4. Only 13 206LTs were built, the first being delivered in January 1994, and the last in 1997. The TwinRanger was replaced in Bell's line-up by the mostly-new Bell 427.[1]
Variants
Civilian
- Bell 206L - Stretched, seven seat configuration. 250-C20B engine.
- Bell 206L-1 - 250-C28 engine
- Bell 206L-3 - 250-C30P engine
- Bell 206L-4 - 250-C30P engine and transmition upgrade.
- Gemini ST - twin-engined conversions of the 206L by Gemini Helicopters.
- Bell 206LT TwinRanger - twin-engined new-build of the 206L; replaced by the Bell 427.
- Bell 407 - based on the 206L with four-bladed rotor system
- Bell 417 - upgraded 407 with bigger engine; cancelled.
- Agusta-Bell 206L LongRanger -
Operators
Specifications (206B-3)
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Capacity: 5
- Length: 39 ft 1 in (11.9 m)
- Rotor diameter: 33 ft 4 in (10.16 m)
- Height: 2.83 m (9 ft 4in)
- Disc area: 872 ft² (81.1 m²)
- Empty weight: 1,632 lb (742 kg)
- Loaded weight: 3,200 lb (1,500 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 3,350 lb (1,520 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Allison 250-C20J turboshaft, 420 shp (310 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 139 mph (121 knots, 224 km/h)
- Range: 437 mi (380 nm, 703 km)
- Service ceiling: 13,500 ft (4,120 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,280 ft/min (6.5 m/s)
- Disc loading: 4 lb/ft² (177 N/m²)
- Power/mass: 0.26 hp/lb (420 W/kg)
References
External links
- Bell Model 206L-4 (official page)
- Bell Model 206 at globalsecurity.org
- Bell Model 206 at aircraft.co.za
Related content
Related development
Comparable aircraft
Designation sequence
Related lists
Fighter aircraft: YFM-1 · P-39 · P-59 · P-63 · XP-77 · XP-83
Commercial Helicopters: 47 · 204 · 205 · 206 · 210 · 212 · 214 · 222 · 230 · 407 · 412 · 417 · 427 · 429 · 430
Military Helicopters: H-13 · UH-1 · 207 · 209 · AH-1 · 309 · YAH-63 · OH-58 · ARH-70
Tiltrotors: V-22 · BA609 · TR918 · QTR
Experimental aircraft: X-1 · X-2 · X-5 · X-20 X-22 · XV-3 · XV-15 · 533 ·
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| Records | Flight airspeed record · Flight distance record · Flight altitude record · Flight endurance record · Most produced aircraft |
Category:Helicopters Category:U.S. civil utility aircraft 1960-1969
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