PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Thoughts on the Bell 206 JetRanger family
Old 29th Jan 2013, 14:47
  #32 (permalink)  
SASless
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Downeast
Age: 75
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The Bell 206 series was the cause for the invention of the term "LTE" (Loss of Tail Rotor Effectiveness) which has killed many pilots and passengers.

Simply put....not enough tail rotor to begin with.....which ultimately catches up with you in certain situations.

But....for a private owner....if you do something about the absolutely horrible seats....the 206 is a very reliable, reasonably cheap, pleasant aircraft to fly.

As has been noted....they are very good in autorotation should you have an engine failure and you respond correctly. They do not crash well....as they like to trip over their own feet, chop off their own tail booms, and have little structure under you to cushion an impact.

They have a reputation for being the safest single engine aircraft for a number of reasons.....design, reliability, and the fact they were flown in great part by experienced professional pilots.

The one real down side is the Pilot Seat.....Bell Helicopters have ruined more backs and necks than the NFL ever thought about.
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