Thoughts on the Bell 206 JetRanger family

[mickjoebill]

I've never understood the common reference to the Jetranger as a Jetbox.

Old and tatty 206 = Jetbanger


Mickjoebill

[owen meaney]

Have crossed many a passes 20,000'+pa

And this is with a 250c20 series fitted?

[krypton_john]

Pretty sure it wouldn't have been a C18! C20R is as good as it gets?

[Vertical Freedom]

Tops

C20J (same output as the C20B) would love to have the C20R here hehehehe bit like comparing a 350B2 to a 350B3

Happi Landins

VF

[Vertical Freedom]

C20R

I dream to work an R engined Banger up here. One could take a couple of Rescue pax off EBC Everest basecamp WoW

[Colibri49]

"It's the safest single engined aircraft in the world" That's a bit subjective, I would say. Even if the claim were "safest single engined helicopter", you would still need to set its record against the likes of the Alouette III and Lama types which were chosen for Alpine rescue work and by various armed forces for very good reasons. In the years when I flew small single-engined helicopters (60's and 70s) I never heard or read of one Artouste 3 engine that failed except that it was starved of fuel. Nor were there any blade and rotor control issues in that period, to my knowledge.

Someone has already mentioned the Jetranger tension/torsion strap issue.

I also have a very few Jetranger hours in my logbook and envy those who have thousands. Yes it is a truly fantastic helicopter, near-perfect in most aspects, but not the safest in the world. No, I'm not going to respond to the inevitable "fireworks" on the the subject of how the FAA/NTSB requires accidents to be recorded versus how it is done in the UK/EASA land. I won't even make the usual comment about "statistics" either.

When the notion of "safest single engined aircraft in the world" is raised, then it is sensible to include such venerable fixed-wings as the Antonov AN2 and the DHC Beaver.

Just my usual 10 cents worth, in the hope of stirring the hornet's nest.

[Sir Korsky]

Hover autos from 30' were always uneventful!

[Hedski]

Think Castle Air's G-ONTV had a C20W, more POWERRRRRRR!!!

[paco]

"but not the safest in the world"

It is, according to the statistics from the States. NASA, I think, but I can't remember now.

phil

[SASless]

Tried to hover at 20,000+ feet in a Jet Box?

You will find the Tail Rotor lacking somewhat.

[Ready2Fly]

C20R

Originally Posted by Vertical Freedom

I dream to work an R engined Banger up here. One could take a couple of Rescue pax off EBC Everest basecamp WoW

Well, i know where to source one

[Vertical Freedom]

JetBangers or GO

Ready2Fly WoW really we are seriously looking for a clean, light JetBox with an R. So please PM me.

Cheers

VF

[belly tank]

I love the ol banger, I have many happy memories flying her she was always good to me in my early turbine days, but you must caress her much like a woman

Compared to most drivers on pprune I've not done too much in her,1300hrs then I moved onto the Astar. But I'd jump back in one tommorow in a heartbeat.

[Vertical Freedom]

Heater 206B

Rotorheads

Can someone please direct me to any articles on the net re accidents incidents caused due to a lack of heater/demister on the B206 series please?

Land Happy always

VF

[Droopy]

About 20 years ago there was a 206 tripped over a fence due to misted screens and killed a passenger, details will be on the UK aaib website. Sorry can't recall anything more specific.

[FLY 7]

This one?

http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources...pdf_501020.pdf

[fly911]

I suspect that the "L" will blow over in a strong cross wind faster than a B model 206, what with the larger profile.

Strong gusts blew a Pennsylvania State Police helicopter onto its side while it was parked at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Unity Township, Westmoreland County. No injuries were reported.

Read more: Rain moves in quickly, pounds Pittsburgh region | Weather - WTAE Home

[Jack Carson]

Nothing but fond memories

I have nothing but very fond memories of flying many models of the Bell 206 series. Many of my generation began our aviation careers in the Jet Ranger. Like many, I began my aviation journey in the TH-57A. Many years later I finished up that journey flying a very nice 206L-4. With a few thousand flight hours spanning most 206 models and many mishap free full touchdown autorotations under my belt, I would have to say from my perspective that it is one of the safest air vehicles ever put in service. This is further substantiated by the shear numbers. Numbers published in a Rotor & Wing article dated Oct 2007 indicated that, at that time, more than 7000 Bell 206 aircraft had been produced. Those aircraft had accumulated more than 55 Million flight hours. One would have to believe that if it is not the safest aircraft, it has to be right there near the top of the list.

[fly911]

Bell 206 Electric windshield defroster

Can anyone help me find an electric heating element that mounts in-line with the windshield blower on a Bell 206B3? Thanks for any input. I installed one many years ago on Bell S/N: 3175 but can't track it down. I purchased it from a California company that may or may not have STC'd it. Thanks.


Looking for in-line electric defroster heater for Bell 206

[Tickle]

Did the article by Tony Osborne (the OP) get written and published? Can't find anything in Google. Would be curious to read it, and the 206L follow-up.