Please excuse this intrusion by an enthusiast, but could someone be kind enough to tell me if the Bell Jetranger is still in production, or is it now extinct, perhaps replaced by the 407?
You know what its an interesting question, and maybe im not the guy to answer.. There was speculation that with the recent certification of robinsons r66 turbine bell were going to cease production of the 206, but i have no idea, a shame if they do because its a great machine and i have recently qualified to pilot one!!! I suspect it is still in production and much wiser answers will follow. Keep up the enthusiasm!!
Bell's iconic Model 206 JetRanger, with origins in a military competition for a light observation helicopter, debuted in the civilian market in 1967. Now its 40-year run has come to an end as Bell Helicopter Textron announced yesterday, January 24, that production will be terminated when current delivery commitments unwind in 2010.
Also means they have made enough to ensure the brand and the model will be in the skies for a few decades yet to come - the more important questions is 'are they still making parts?' (clue - yes).
I'm not convienced the R66 is a 1:1 match for a jbox - too flimsy.
Just as a matter of interest, the last Bell 206B JetRanger (S/N 4690) was delivered in December 2010 (see page 15 of Bell Helicopter's Rotor Breeze Q1 - 2011 Edition).
206 replacement
