Bell 206: JetRanger and LongRanger

[Aesir]

Some time ago Bell announced they were going to discontinue manufacturing the 206B model.

Is that still a fact and when will the last be built?

[Ian Corrigible]

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

[i2gofly]

I probably said this in the past but I'll say it again, in my opinion, this is a big mistake from Bell...

[EN48]

this is a big mistake from Bell...

There is a persistent rumor that Bell is reconsidering this decision, and may resume production using the RR500 series engine.

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?)

[luisf4]

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

[i2gofly]

EN, I hope this is true... while they are at it, they should also keep the B430!

[206 jock]

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

[Bell_Flyer]

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.

[luisf4]

bell flyer

has a big point on that one ..... corks?????

[EN48]

Bell had a stranglehold on the marketplace with their 206 series up to the 80's and maybe mid 90's

IMHO, Bell has suffered the effects of profit harvesting which is all too common in the corporate world. Any CEO of a business unit in a large. multi business corporation knows that his assignment will last a few years, after which he will move up (bottom line at or above expectations) or out (bottom line below expectations). Investing for growth/market share is penalized. Bell handed EC market share dominance without a fight. Too bad, and wont be recovered, if at all, until long after the current CEO has moved on.

[Vertical Freedom]

B206BIII C20B Vs J

Good morning, anyone have performance graphs on the HOGE & HIGI for the C20J engine in the ole B206 please? Cheers

[RVDT]

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.

[Aubrey.]

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?

[Aubrey.]

Damn me and my evil Western logic

Perhaps when they take over the world they don't want to have to rely on someone else's parts availability...

[carsickpuppy]

EOR --

Did you get the pic by hiking through Iran on holiday?

[ecureilx]

maybe they up-armoured it so much that they only could lift a 8 round rocket launcher and a .22 gun ..

[Hell Man]

In combat I reckon I could take out about four of these 'Shahed’s' with a single unarmed 500D!

[krypton_john]

Too easy. Just fly circles around them until their TT straps fail.

[topendtorque]

Too easy. Just fly circles around them until their TT straps fail.

lol there,
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.

[Saint Jack]

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?