Bell 206: JetRanger and LongRanger
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According to Elfan ap Rees (truly one of the best journos in the industry), the last JetRanger was S/N 4689, which went out the door at Mirabel in January.
I/C
I/C
Join Date: Apr 2007
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this is a big mistake from Bell...
OTOH, this is a design that dates to the early to mid sixties. Perhaps it deserves to rest in peace. What Bell really needs is a 4-5 place light turbine with a modern (composite, hingeless) MR system, more tail rotor authority, no broom closet, etc. IOW, a scaled down 429 (219?)
Join Date: Jan 2009
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i AGREE!!!
In Line And Word The Number Even Fits The Props... 219 Sounds Good!
Besides, God knows how much longer Bell will lose market for Astar's .... it's time to renew the series and come up with some new project!
They don't developed any news in the light single turbo axis long time I guess .... there is 1 429 around here in Brazil but you cant see many Rangers here.... most 109k /astar's and Ec120b
They are loads of this Lil Bird here but I still fail to see Rangers in numbers one or two perhaps some times.... wish I could fly a 206 one day
Besides, God knows how much longer Bell will lose market for Astar's .... it's time to renew the series and come up with some new project!
They don't developed any news in the light single turbo axis long time I guess .... there is 1 429 around here in Brazil but you cant see many Rangers here.... most 109k /astar's and Ec120b
They are loads of this Lil Bird here but I still fail to see Rangers in numbers one or two perhaps some times.... wish I could fly a 206 one day
On the other hand, us owners (well, me anyway) are hoping that the end of production will result in inflating prices for good used examples
However, practical experience of helicopter ownership would indicate that such aspirations will probably remain a pipedream
However, practical experience of helicopter ownership would indicate that such aspirations will probably remain a pipedream
Join Date: Jan 2005
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The trouble with Bell...
Bell had a stranglehold on the marketplace with their 206 series up to the 80's and maybe mid 90's - but they then sat on their hands and let the Astars, 109's and EC's overtake them in every category from speed, comfort, power and so on.
I have several suggestions for Bell's new CEO:
1. Sack any engineer that takes more than 30 years to fix a problem - eg the 2 year calendar life of TT straps. How many times have we heard Bell say they'll have one very soon with say, 10% more life or double the life or "on condition". This excuse is wearing thin.
2. Park an Astar or EC-130 in the middle of their Mirabel or Fortworth hangar and COPY (Yes COPY) then improve on these designs. Bell has proven for many many many years they can't build anything that looks like a 206 or a Huey (both great machines for their times - but very tired designs now).
3. Bell still uses corks as a seal - wtf? Even my local vineyard has moved away from corks...
4. The 206 is as agricultural as my John Deere. How about a 'corporate kit" that removes the screw heads from instrument panels, classier fasteners for hatches - hell my Massey Ferguson's got more aerodynamic hatch catches than the 206.
There are still many people who love Bells (me included) but we're a diminishing breed. I think the new CEO needs to lead from the front, take the competition seriously and not produce Bell Very Long Rangers V for their next single engine model.
I have several suggestions for Bell's new CEO:
1. Sack any engineer that takes more than 30 years to fix a problem - eg the 2 year calendar life of TT straps. How many times have we heard Bell say they'll have one very soon with say, 10% more life or double the life or "on condition". This excuse is wearing thin.
2. Park an Astar or EC-130 in the middle of their Mirabel or Fortworth hangar and COPY (Yes COPY) then improve on these designs. Bell has proven for many many many years they can't build anything that looks like a 206 or a Huey (both great machines for their times - but very tired designs now).
3. Bell still uses corks as a seal - wtf? Even my local vineyard has moved away from corks...
4. The 206 is as agricultural as my John Deere. How about a 'corporate kit" that removes the screw heads from instrument panels, classier fasteners for hatches - hell my Massey Ferguson's got more aerodynamic hatch catches than the 206.
There are still many people who love Bells (me included) but we're a diminishing breed. I think the new CEO needs to lead from the front, take the competition seriously and not produce Bell Very Long Rangers V for their next single engine model.
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Bell had a stranglehold on the marketplace with their 206 series up to the 80's and maybe mid 90's
Don't read anything into the C20 "J".
It is only a "B" with a different pitch in the gearbox gears to try and reduce noise. There are no performance differences.
It is only a "B" with a different pitch in the gearbox gears to try and reduce noise. There are no performance differences.
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How bizarre, meant to look like a Cobra? Wouldn't Iran be better selling their stock of 206s and put the money into a few decent and proven attack helicopters?
Out of interest, what sort of type approval would this machine have to go through in Iran?
Out of interest, what sort of type approval would this machine have to go through in Iran?
Join Date: Feb 2005
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Too easy. Just fly circles around them until their TT straps fail.
did you know that is how the australian native aboriginals catch the bush turkeys. (known as bustards)
being rather stupid and curious birds, the natives simply walk around them whilst pretending to look at something else until the birds' neck breaks, then they grab em and roast em.
simple.
yep it could probably also work for that other stupd looking bird above.
cheers tet.
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The Venerable JetRanger
Regarding the discussion of retiring/resurrecting/re-inventing the JetRanger, Posts 1123-1132, whatever happened the the JRX? This was proposed by BHT a few years ago as a (possible) replacement, or was it simply a ploy to test the market for such a helicopter. Anyone got any firm information?