Bell Jetranger helicopters.

[Noah Zark.]

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?

[stringfellow]

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!!

[vaqueroaero]

It is sadly true that the Jetranger is no longer in production. However...................................................

[SilsoeSid]

Looking at the Bell site it seems production continues in the 206L-4
(http://www.bellhelicopter.com/en_US/Commercial/Bell206L-4/1291148332333.html#/?tab=highlights-tab)

http://www.bellhelicopter.com/MungoBlobs/919/70/206L.mp4

[HeliHenri]

Hello,

Noah Zark was asking about the production of the Jetranger, not the Longranger.

[Camp Freddie]

Noah Zark was asking about the production of the Jetranger, not the Longranger

I think Mr Sid, was very correct in mentioning the longranger after all it is called a B206

[SilsoeSid]

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.

Farewell to an Icon: the Bell JetRanger 206 (http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/business_aviation/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3A2f16318d-d960-4e49-bc9f-86f1805f2c7fPost%3A5a807181-b9e1-4121-8d94-39b5e5291162)

[helicopter-redeye]

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.

The Bell47 is still going strong too

h-r

[Good Vibs]

We can remember in aviation history that there have been many DC-3 replacements. They have all failed except for a few...

The good old Bell 206 will not be replaced for many a year.

And it will definately not be an R66 that does it. You must be joking!

[Noah Zark.]

Thanks for the input and info, guys.

Redeye, you have a p.m.

[Big Bucks Bernie]

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 (http://www.bellhelicopter.com/MungoBlobs/1012/19/rb_Q1_11.pdf) Edition).

[topendtorque]

The Bell47 is still going strong too


Lift up your hearts and sing,

All hail the Messiah

[krypton_john]

Now if only Bell would sell the 206B type certificate and PMA to Scotts. Who knows what would happen to the life limits and price of TT straps?

[Jet Ranger]

... or Jet Lager :}

[krypton_john]

Cattle Truck, I would not trust a ship those fellows built to carry my cattle. I've seen the cars they make.

[Encyclo]

Cattle Truck,

Bell's been there, done that; went to China to get a cheap cabin for the 430. Killed the model; no quality at 3X the price :ugh:

RIP Bell 430 :{