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(Redirected from Bell JetRanger)
The Bell Helicopter 'Model 206 JetRanger' is a two-bladed main rotor, turbine powered helicopter with a conventional, two-bladed tail rotor. The aircraft uses hydraulic boosted flight controls.
In October 1961, the Army submitted a request for proposals (RFP) for the Light Observation Helicopter (LOH). Bell, along with 12 other manufacturers (including Fairchild-Hiller and Hughes Tool Co. Aircraft Division), entered the competition.[1] Bell submitted their design for 'Model 206', which was selected out of the design phase of the Navy-run competition by the Army[2] and designated as the 'YHO-4A'.[3][4]
Bell produced five prototype aircraft in 1962 to submit to the army for the test and evaluation phase. During the testing phase, the test pilots complained about the power problems of the aircraft, an issue that apparently knocked it out of the running, because when the winners were announced to progress on to the final selection phase, Bell's YOH-4A wasn't selected.[5] Afterwards, Bell attempted to market the model 206, but it didn't fare well commercially. Bell's market research showed that it was the body design that customers found mostly unpalatable. Bell redesigned the body of the airframe to be more sleek and aesthetic, and reintroduced it as 'Model 206A JetRanger' which was a commercial success.[6]
The ''TwinRanger'' name dates back to the mid-1980s when Bell first developed the 'Bell 400 TwinRanger', but it never entered production.[7]
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. 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.
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'.
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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 was a follow-on to the 407, but it's development was cancelled.
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.
★ Bell 206 - Five (5) YOH-4A prototypes, for flight evaluation in the Army's LOH program (1963).
★ Bell 206A - FAA-certified in 1966. Selected as the OH-58A Kiowa in 1968.
★ Bell 206A-1 - OH-58A aircraft that are reverse-modified for FAA civil certification.[8]
★ Bell 206B - Upgraded Allison 250-C20 engine.[9]
★ Bell 206B-2 - Bell 206B models upgraded with Bell 206B-3 improvements.9
★ Bell 206B-3 - Upgraded Allison 250-C20J engine and added 2 inches to tail rotor diameter for yaw control.9
★ 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.
★ Bell 206LT TwinRanger - twin-engined conversions and new-builds 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
★ Agusta-Bell 206A -
★ Agusta-Bell 206A-1 -
★ Agusta-Bell 206B -
★ Agusta-Bell 206B-3 -
★ Agusta-Bell 206B-1 -
★ Agusta-Bell 206L LongRanger -
;OH-58 Kiowa :Light observation helicopter that replaced the OH-6A Cayuse.
;TH-57A :40 commercial Bell 206A aircraft purchased as the primary U.S. Navy helicopter trainer in January 1968, designated "Sea Ranger".[1]
;206L TexasRanger :proposed export military version, only a demonstrator was built in 1981.
;TH-57B :45 commercial Bell 206B-3 helicopters purchased in 1989 as replacements for the TH-57A for primary training under visual flight rules.
;TH-57C :71 commercial Bell 206B-3 helicopters purchased in 1989 with cockpits configured for advanced training under instrument flight rules.
;TH-57D :Planned upgrade program to convert TH-57B and TH-57C to a single standard digital cockpit.[2]
;TH-67 Creek :137 commercial Bell 206B-3 purchased in 1993 as the primary helicopter trainer for the U.S. Army. 35 in VFR configuration and 102 in IFR configuration.[3]
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Libya
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★ : Republic of China Army
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★ :Police
★ : Slovenian Armed Forces
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★ : U.S. Army, U.S. Navy
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1. The Cessna CH-1 Helicopter Steve Remington
2.
3. U.S Army Aircraft Acquisition Programs Robert Beechy
4. Rotary Aircraft Designation Crosswalk
5. Bell 206 JetRanger Johan Visschedijk
6. American Helicopter Museum: Bell 206 JetRanger
7. Frawley, Gerard: ''The International Directory of Civil Aircraft, 2003-2004'', page 43. Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd, 2003. ISBN 1-875671-58-7
8. TYPE CERTIFICATE DATA SHEET NO. H2SW, Revision 42
9. Bell 206:Still Ringing True Ron and Shannon Bower
★ Bell Model 206B-3 (official page)
★ Bell Model 206L-4 (official page)
★ Bell Model 206 at globalsecurity.org
★ Bell Model 206 at aircraft.co.za
★ Military version at globalsecurity.com
★ Austrian Armed Forces Agusta Bell AB 206
The Bell Helicopter 'Model 206 JetRanger' is a two-bladed main rotor, turbine powered helicopter with a conventional, two-bladed tail rotor. The aircraft uses hydraulic boosted flight controls.
| Contents |
| Development |
| Gemini ST and TwinRanger |
| Operational history |
| Variants |
| Civilian |
| Military |
| Operators |
| Specifications (206B-3) |
| References |
| External links |
| Related content |
Development
In October 1961, the Army submitted a request for proposals (RFP) for the Light Observation Helicopter (LOH). Bell, along with 12 other manufacturers (including Fairchild-Hiller and Hughes Tool Co. Aircraft Division), entered the competition.[1] Bell submitted their design for 'Model 206', which was selected out of the design phase of the Navy-run competition by the Army[2] and designated as the 'YHO-4A'.[3][4]
YOH-4A LOH in flight
Bell produced five prototype aircraft in 1962 to submit to the army for the test and evaluation phase. During the testing phase, the test pilots complained about the power problems of the aircraft, an issue that apparently knocked it out of the running, because when the winners were announced to progress on to the final selection phase, Bell's YOH-4A wasn't selected.[5] Afterwards, Bell attempted to market the model 206, but it didn't fare well commercially. Bell's market research showed that it was the body design that customers found mostly unpalatable. Bell redesigned the body of the airframe to be more sleek and aesthetic, and reintroduced it as 'Model 206A JetRanger' which was a commercial success.[6]
Gemini ST and TwinRanger
The ''TwinRanger'' name dates back to the mid-1980s when Bell first developed the 'Bell 400 TwinRanger', but it never entered production.[7]
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. 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.
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'.
Operational history
.jpg)
A Bell 206L-3
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 was a follow-on to the 407, but it's development was cancelled.
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.
Variants
Civilian
★ Bell 206 - Five (5) YOH-4A prototypes, for flight evaluation in the Army's LOH program (1963).
★ Bell 206A - FAA-certified in 1966. Selected as the OH-58A Kiowa in 1968.
★ Bell 206A-1 - OH-58A aircraft that are reverse-modified for FAA civil certification.[8]
★ Bell 206B - Upgraded Allison 250-C20 engine.[9]
★ Bell 206B-2 - Bell 206B models upgraded with Bell 206B-3 improvements.9
★ Bell 206B-3 - Upgraded Allison 250-C20J engine and added 2 inches to tail rotor diameter for yaw control.9
★ 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.
★ Bell 206LT TwinRanger - twin-engined conversions and new-builds 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
★ Agusta-Bell 206A -
★ Agusta-Bell 206A-1 -
★ Agusta-Bell 206B -
★ Agusta-Bell 206B-3 -
★ Agusta-Bell 206B-1 -
★ Agusta-Bell 206L LongRanger -
Military
Bell 206L TexasRanger in 1981
;OH-58 Kiowa :Light observation helicopter that replaced the OH-6A Cayuse.
;TH-57A :40 commercial Bell 206A aircraft purchased as the primary U.S. Navy helicopter trainer in January 1968, designated "Sea Ranger".[1]
;206L TexasRanger :proposed export military version, only a demonstrator was built in 1981.
;TH-57B :45 commercial Bell 206B-3 helicopters purchased in 1989 as replacements for the TH-57A for primary training under visual flight rules.
;TH-57C :71 commercial Bell 206B-3 helicopters purchased in 1989 with cockpits configured for advanced training under instrument flight rules.
;TH-57D :Planned upgrade program to convert TH-57B and TH-57C to a single standard digital cockpit.[2]
;TH-67 Creek :137 commercial Bell 206B-3 purchased in 1993 as the primary helicopter trainer for the U.S. Army. 35 in VFR configuration and 102 in IFR configuration.[3]
Operators
Bell 206A Jet Ranger, built 1967
A modern Croatian Bell 206 (B-3) JetRanger III on patrol
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★ : Republic of China Army
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★ :Police
★ : Slovenian Armed Forces
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★ : U.S. Army, U.S. Navy
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Specifications (206B-3)
Bell 206B JetRanger taking off from Vancouver Harbour HeliJet pad.
References
Bell 206L-4 Long Ranger IV operated by CTV News, is taking off from Vancouver Harbour helipad.
1. The Cessna CH-1 Helicopter Steve Remington
2.
3. U.S Army Aircraft Acquisition Programs Robert Beechy
4. Rotary Aircraft Designation Crosswalk
5. Bell 206 JetRanger Johan Visschedijk
6. American Helicopter Museum: Bell 206 JetRanger
7. Frawley, Gerard: ''The International Directory of Civil Aircraft, 2003-2004'', page 43. Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd, 2003. ISBN 1-875671-58-7
8. TYPE CERTIFICATE DATA SHEET NO. H2SW, Revision 42
9. Bell 206:Still Ringing True Ron and Shannon Bower
External links
★ Bell Model 206B-3 (official page)
★ Bell Model 206L-4 (official page)
★ Bell Model 206 at globalsecurity.org
★ Bell Model 206 at aircraft.co.za
★ Military version at globalsecurity.com
★ Austrian Armed Forces Agusta Bell AB 206
Related content
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