Bell Ceasing Production of 206, 427,430 and 210.
 

It may not be news to some but it appears that Bell is ceasing production of the 206, 427, 430 and 210 helicopters.

While maintaining support for those already delivered and honouring orders up to 2010.

http://www.bellhelicopter.com/en/com...roductLine.cfm

GS

So it will be a farewell party for the 206B3 in the near future, it seems.
Probably one of the few machines that kept the same model of engine for it's entire production run.
What will Rolls-Royce do as far as selling new 250C20B engines?

A sad day indeed for the JetRanger. The other three - especially the 427 and 210 - good riddance. I still love the lines of the 430, but when sales are so few over 10+ years of production, I'm sure its hard to justify the expense of keeping the line running.

Sure hate to see Bell open the door for Frank Robinson. :ugh: My what a nice new light single from Bell might have been. JRX, MAPL, etc.

I'm headed out to crawl under my rock and pout.

Tompkins

Not too surprising. Bell used to be no. 1 in Canada but Eurocopter has taken over the light turbine market in a big way here.

427 and 210--no big loss.
430--still the best looking helicopter out there.
206B--the best of 1960s technology, RIP.

"206B--the best of 1960s technology, RIP."

Good point! But you and I both know that equally configured, it can go head to head with the EC120 in HOGE useful load at ISA+20. :}

Errrrrrr......uhhhhhhhh....just what are they going to replace them with to keep the doors open? The 609?

Bell's Positive Spin on Product Line Obituary
 

It will be interesting to observe the after shock ripples move through the Bell workforce (both BHTI & BHTC)!
Those who are really forward thinking will transfer to Spares sales...

They are still making helicopters though, and introducing a lot of new technology!:rolleyes:

I have been told that current 206 production volume is around 15 units per year. If this is approximately correct, easy to see why it is being discontinued.

B206....Goodbye?
 

This is great news for the engineering buisness though, Rebuilds/ Refurbs will remain the best way to go as it seems to be now. The trusty old 205 can pretty much be converted into whatever option you want just short of a 212.
I know in Canada the JR is still much loved and there are tons of refurbed ones still operating probably due to the superior parts support over Eurocopter....The gate is now open for Frank but I think the 66 will still take a few years to prove itself as a workhorse, If it fails then Bell could always follow in Cessnas footsteps, and I am sure Rolls Royce are not going to lose on the overall deal either with the RR300 now on a roll.

The writing has pretty much been on the wall for a while now, every year HAI Heli-Expo saw some new project heralded only for it to be dropped the year after [210, 427, 427IFR, 417] then they walked away from the 139 [and I really still have to understand why] which leaves us with the feeling its goodbye commercial Bell are going military only now....

The press release states they are relying on the high volume production airframes up to 2010 but no mention what the jewel in the crown 407 is actually selling .... and the 429 isn't really in to worthwhile production until 2009...

The new horizon of 'the military' took some super nosedives with ARH causing problems...

No mention of that Skycar they teamed up with the Israelis for... quietly forgotten.

Not a mention of 609.... crystal ball stuff...

Very sad state of affairs.

The 206 is still the best looking helicopter which is why it has appeared on TV and films so often.

Better looking than this?

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/i...07exterior.jpg

Bell - fast becoming a 3rd rate company with little future.
 

This is a real shame. A once great company run down by bean counters, bureaucrats and leaders with no foresight. Bell is in an irrecoverable tailspin IMHO.

One tiny example, after well over 30 years, they still have not fixed the TT straps problem. Not even extending the life by 10% or more. Their metallurgists people must be incompetent.

I predict Bell will become a third rate company with little future unless they get in an aviation "Lee Iacocca" to turn things round. Vale Bell....

Nice ship EN48, yours?

Shame about the 206 :{- great a/c IMHO.

SF

Only for a few hours.:) I am doing some dual in this one as preparation for the Bell Academy B407 Initial course in TX next week.

Heli-kiwi
Correct. There are exactly 500 206s listed in the Canadian Aircraft Register, although not all are airworthy. Compare that to 397 AS350/355s. Eurocopter has substantially overtaken Bell in new sales, especially in the last few years.
However, the 206 should be around for a long time yet in Canada.

http://www.tc.gc.ca/aviation/activep...uicksearch.asp

EN48,

Dead right, very nice looking machine. Have had my blot in one now for about 8 years. They are comfortable, quiet, smooth, fast and a dream to fly.

Congrats to Bell for a brilliant product. And to my boss who bought one........:E

That's easy - T shirts, ball caps and coffee mugs.