Bell
Model 206
Jet Ranger

Photo: Robert Deering 11/8/2014
Near Alliance Airport (AFW)
 Fort Worth, Texas

Bell 206
Photo: Robert Deering 1986
Fort Worth ARTC Center (ZFW)
Fort Worth, Texas
Bell 206B
Photo: Robert Deering 10/12/2008
Alliance Airport (AFW)
Fort Worth, Texas
Bell 206L
Photo: Robert Deering 10/12/2008
Alliance Airport (AFW)
Fort Worth, Texas
Bell 206 Prototype
Photo: Robert Deering 7/16/2014
American Helicopter Museum
Brandywine Airport (OQN)
West Chester, Pennsylvania
The Bell 206 is a family of two-bladed, single- or twin-engine 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, the 206 failed to be selected. 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-engine option as the TwinRanger, while Tridair Helicopters offers a similar conversion of the LongRanger called the Gemini ST.

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 full certification by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Delivery of the JetRanger to customers began on January 13, 1967, with the first aircraft being purchased by Harry Holly, president of the Hollymatic Company and previous owner of a Bell Ranger.

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 took off from Dallas, Texas in the "Spirit of Texas", a Bell 206L-2 (N3911Z). 29 days and 3 hours later, they returned on September 30, 1982, completing the first around the world helicopter flight.  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 National Training Helicopter competition, to serve as its primary training helicopter, the TH-67 Creek.

On July 22, 1994, Ron Bower landed his 206B-3 (N206AJ) at Hurst, Texas, completing a new world record, around the world flight. Bower had departed on June 24, 1994 and returned 24 days, 4 hours, 36 minutes and 24 seconds later, averaging 35.62 knots (40.99 mph, 65.97 km/h). Bower had added a 91-gallon auxiliary fuel tank, which doubled the JetRanger III's range.
SPECIFICATIONS: PERFORMANCE:
Rotor Span:  33 ft 4 in (10.16 m) Maximum speed:   130 knots (224 km/h, 139 mph)
Length:  39 ft 8 in (12.11 m) Cruising speed: 
Height:  9 ft 4 in (2.83 m) Range:  374 nmi (430 mi, 693 km)
Empty Weight:  1,713 lb (777 kg) Service ceiling:  13,500 ft (4,115 m)
Gross Weight:  3,200 lb (1,451 kg)  
Crew:  Pilot plus 4 passengers
Engines:  1 × Allison 250-C20B turboshaft, 450 shp (310 kW)
   
SOURCE:  Wikipedia