Bell 206: JetRanger and LongRanger
After having both the 206 and the 505 I would say stick with 206 until the 505 is fully sorted ( don’t buy 2018/19 models . I operated mine for about 3 years and gave up due to so many silly faults , both design and manufacture. Other things such as horrible to fly in windy/ bumpy conditions when light plus C of G that was impossible to deal with without carrying big water Jerry cans etc . I would guess that mine was tech for 25% of all revenue flights which was , to say the least , disappointing!!
mother than that it was lovely and great power and viz !
mother than that it was lovely and great power and viz !
I wonder if the 206/505 will be like the Honda NSX...the new one is superior in almost every way but now good late originals are appreciating while early new ones are worth less money.
I've often wondered why Bell, in its infinite wisdom, decided to completely disregard decades of history with a perfectly good airframe and engine manufacturer and create the 505. It's a nice enough aircraft, but a more cost effective replacement, or even interim replacement, would have been an upgraded, modified 206 series. Add some new, more aerodynamic fairings, fix some of the existing issues, etc and release it as a evolutionary line of aircraft. Look at the 407.... still kicking... as are many more of the "Legacy" designs.
Seems to me they missed the PR boat on this one. I just read they sold the 505th 505. OK, that's something I suppose. There are advantages to the 505, flat floor, etc. But not at that price point. I was told by MANY older Bell employees at the last MRO convention that none of the older staff was even asked about the 505 design. It all happened behind closed doors far away from Texas. With decisions made my high level corporate. Needless to say, they all pretty much hate it.
If you want a Safran powered aircraft with a flat floor, buy an H125/AS series!
Besides, I find the profile of the 505 to just look like a Jimmy Durante style schnoz. But that's just my opinion.
YMMV
Rick
Seems to me they missed the PR boat on this one. I just read they sold the 505th 505. OK, that's something I suppose. There are advantages to the 505, flat floor, etc. But not at that price point. I was told by MANY older Bell employees at the last MRO convention that none of the older staff was even asked about the 505 design. It all happened behind closed doors far away from Texas. With decisions made my high level corporate. Needless to say, they all pretty much hate it.
If you want a Safran powered aircraft with a flat floor, buy an H125/AS series!
Besides, I find the profile of the 505 to just look like a Jimmy Durante style schnoz. But that's just my opinion.
YMMV
Rick
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My guess is that Bell intended the 505 to be the TBM 700/850/9XX series of helicopters. That is, to be the de facto turbine-single of the owner/pilot. It was initially announced at a sub $1 million price point with Garmin glass, and a class-leading autopilot. I'm guessing Bell thought the clean sheet 505 would be far cheaper to build than a refreshed 206B (206C?) with similar amenities.
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I am having a look at a used L3. One of the MR blades is almost out of time. Are used blades available and do they have to be ''matched''. Sorry for the maybe stupid question but I would rather be in for a single blade than a pair. Van Hoorn, one day!
