Bell 206A is anyone still flying them
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 603
Likes: 65
From: South of UK
Errr, I'd guess because there isn't/wasn't many of them? They were only produced for about 3 years (no idea on numbers)back in the 60's, and were then superceded by the more powerful B2 model. In addition, many of the A's were converted to A/B's, which primarily involved changing the C18 engine to a C20, along with a few other amends.
I have never flown an A, but from what I gather if all you want to do is potter about 1 or 2 up, they are ideal.
To say that they not as common as B's is like saying that there's not many Ford Model T's around, so they must have been lousy!
I have never flown an A, but from what I gather if all you want to do is potter about 1 or 2 up, they are ideal.
To say that they not as common as B's is like saying that there's not many Ford Model T's around, so they must have been lousy!
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 420
Likes: 0
From: Florida
I flew a few hours in serial number 400 and something. It had the C18 engine in it. With 2 of us and about 60 gallons of fuel it really taught you power management to get the thing off the ground without over temping it.
Also had the boosted pedals which took some getting used to.
Guys doing ag work and long lining use them, but with C20's in them as the airfarme is lighter, so hence you can lift more. So I've been told anyway.
Also had the boosted pedals which took some getting used to.
Guys doing ag work and long lining use them, but with C20's in them as the airfarme is lighter, so hence you can lift more. So I've been told anyway.
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Canada
A models still exist
I flew a 206 A model for several months a few years back. I thought the serial number was somewhere in the low 200's.
It was a GREAT jetranger. It was a stump puller. The airframe was nearly 200 pounds lighter than a B model.
The wackiest thing about them is the boosted pedals. That took a little getting used to!
It was a GREAT jetranger. It was a stump puller. The airframe was nearly 200 pounds lighter than a B model.
The wackiest thing about them is the boosted pedals. That took a little getting used to!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: By a river
The original "pre Blue Ribbon engine" C18 installed in the A model was commonly referred to as the Widow maker and indeed it was. It was marginally improved post Blue Ribbon and we used them with water alcohol injection kits, especially in the summers to get them off the ground in high OAT conditions, in the hills. Most of them have been converted to B models.
carholme
carholme
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,852
Likes: 0
From: Canada
I got my 206 endorsement on an "A". According to my ground school manual, the C18A produced a maximum of 317 hp with a 5 minute limit. Maximum continuous power was 270 hp. According to Bell, the transmission ratings for the B3 are identical, which means it has the same transmission although the
C20B gives it a lot more headroom in the temperature department:
http://www.bellhelicopter.com/en/air...06_jan_web.pdf
C20B gives it a lot more headroom in the temperature department:
http://www.bellhelicopter.com/en/air...06_jan_web.pdf
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: UK
Main reason they didn't stay around was lower MAUW of 3000lbs about 50lbs of which was taken up by the water-meth injection system! This dropped the TOT by about 50deg when you were pulling all its available power.
My first ever 206 trip was a jolly in an A in Oman (ISA +25) and the pilots who flew them deserved respect!
You still see a few converted ones in UK. BLZN being one, with which we did some good work in Ethiopia at altitudes of 10,000ft+
My first ever 206 trip was a jolly in an A in Oman (ISA +25) and the pilots who flew them deserved respect!
You still see a few converted ones in UK. BLZN being one, with which we did some good work in Ethiopia at altitudes of 10,000ft+
