Bell 206 JetRanger/LongRanger/TwinRanger

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_206#LongRanger

The Bell 206 is a family of two-bladed, single- and twin-engined helicopters,
manufactured by Bell Helicopter at its Mirabel, Quebec plant. Originally
developed as the Bell YOH-4 for the United States Army's Light Observation
Helicopter program, it was not selected by the Army. Bell redesigned the
airframe and successfully marketed the aircraft commercially as the five-place
Bell 206A JetRanger. The new design was eventually selected by the Army as the
OH-58 Kiowa. Bell also developed a seven-place LongRanger, which was later
offered with a twin-engined option as the TwinRanger, while Tridair Helicopters
offers a similar conversion of the LongRanger called the Gemini ST. The
ICAO-assigned model designation "B06" is used on flight plans for the JetRanger
and LongRanger, and the designation "B06T" is used for the twin-engined
TwinRangers.

The 206L LongRanger is a stretched variant with seating for seven. The fuselage,
stretched a total of 30 inches (760 mm), adds two rear-facing seats between the
front and rear seats. Since 1975, Bell has produced more than 1,700 LongRangers
across all variant types. In 1981, a military version, the 206L TexasRanger was
released. The original 206L used an Allison 250-C20B engine, and a series of
model upgrades replaced this engine with more powerful versions; the 206L-1 used
a 250-C28, and the 206L-3 and 206L-4 used the 250-C30P. In both applications,
the 250-C30P is derated from 650 hp for takeoff and 501 hp continuous. The
206L-3 is transmission-limited to 435 hp for take-off, and the 206L-4 is
transmission-limited to 495 hp. The derating of the C30P produces an advantage
in hot-day and high-altitude operations as it can produce the rated horsepower
at higher altitudes and temperatures where applications that use the maximum
rating of the engine at sea level suffer accelerated performance deterioration
with increases in temperature and altitude. The 206L-3 and L-4 have not been
offered in a twin configuration under those model designations.

In 2007, Bell announced an upgrade program for the 206L-1 and 206L-3 which is
designed to modify the aircraft to the 206L-4 configuration; modified aircraft
are designated 206L-1+ and 206L-3+. Modifications include strengthened airframe
structural components (including a new tailboom), improved transmission,
upgraded engine for the L-1, all of which result in a maximum gross weight
increase of 300 pounds and increased performance.


Role
Multipurpose utility helicopter

National origin
United States/Canada

Manufacturer
Bell Helicopter

First flight
December 8, 1962 (206)
January 10, 1966 (206A)

Introduction
1967

Status
In service

Produced
1962–present

Number built
7,300

Unit cost

approx. US$900,000 to $1.2 million


Developed from
Bell YOH-4

Variants
Bell OH-58 Kiowa

Developed into
Bell 407

The first Bell 206A flew on January 10, 1966, and the aircraft was revealed
later that month at the Helicopter Association of America (HAA) convention. On
October 20, 1966, the JetRanger received FAA certification. Delivery of the
JetRanger to customers began on January 13, 1967, with the first aircraft being
purchased by Harry Holly, CEO of the Hollymatic Corporation and previous owner
of a Bell Ranger.[9] In 1968, the United States Navy selected the 206A as its
primary trainer, the TH-57 Sea Ranger. The Army also eventually selected the
206A for a light observation helicopter as the OH-58 Kiowa.

The basic shape and design of the JetRanger remained unchanged since 1967, but
Bell introduced the 206B JetRanger II in 1971. In 1977, the 206B-3 JetRanger III
was introduced with its modified tail rotor and more powerful engine. The
JetRanger is popular with news media for traffic and news reporting. The
LongRanger is commonly used as an air ambulance and as a corporate transport. On
September 1, 1982, pilots H. Ross Perot, Jr. and Jay Coburn departed Dallas,
Texas in the "Spirit of Texas", a Bell 206L-2 (N3911Z). They returned on 30
September, 29 days and 3 hours later, completing the first around-the-world
helicopter flight, making them Earthrounders. In 1983, Australian Businessman
Dick Smith became the first helicopter pilot to complete a solo trip around the
world in 260 flight hours. During the trip, he landed his 206B-3 (S/N 3653;
VH-DIK) on prepositioned container ships to refuel between Japan and the
Aleutian Islands.

In 1993, the U.S. Army chose the Bell 206B-3 as the winner of the New Training
Helicopter competition, to serve as its primary training helicopter, the TH-67
Creek. The number of TH-67s being divested by the Army is too small to impact
civilian markets.

Specifications (206B-L4)

General characteristics
Crew: one pilot
Capacity: four passengers
Length: 39 ft 8 in (12.11 m)
Rotor diameter: 33 ft 4 in (10.16 m)
Height: 9 ft 4 in (2.83 m)
Disc area: 872 ft² (81.1 m²)
Empty weight: 2,331 lb (1,057 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 3,200 lb (1,451 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Allison 250-C30P turboshaft, 420 shp; derated to 317 shp due to
drivetrain limitations (310 kW)

Performance
Never exceed speed: 130 knots (241 km/h, 150 mph)
Maximum speed: 120 knots (222 km/h, 138 mph)
Range: 374 nmi (430 mi, 693 km)
Service ceiling: 13,500 ft (4,115 m)
Rate of climb: 1,350 ft/min (6.9 m/s)
Disc loading: 4 lb/ft² (177 N/m²)
Power/mass: 0.26 hp/lb (430 W/kg)



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