Bell 206B-3 JetRanger III

Type (Muster)
Light multi-purpose helicopter

Country (Land)
USA

Manufacturer (Hersteller)
Bell Helicopter
PO Box 482
Fort Worth, Texas 76101
USA

Phone: 001-817/280-2222
Fax: 001-817/280-3631

General (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 1 - 2
Passengers (Passagiere): 3 - 4
Baggage (Gepäck): 113 kg

Power plant (Antrieb): Rolls-Royce (Allison) 250-C20J turboshaft or Allison 250-C20R/4 as an option
Power (Leistung): 313 kW (420 shp) at take-off and 276 kW (370 shp) maximum continuous. The transmission is rated at 236 kW (317 shp) at take-off and 201 kW (270 shp) max. continuous.

Take-off noise level: 88,7 EPNdB
Flyover noise level: 85,4 EPNdB
Approach noise level: 90,6 EPNdB

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Fuselage length (Rumpflänge): 9,50 m
Length overall, rotors turning (Gesamtlänge): 11,82 m
Width over skids (Breite über Kufen): 1,95 m with standard skids
Height (Höhe): 2,89 m over rotor head
Rotor diameter (Hauptrotordurchmesser): 10,16 m
Main rotor disk area (Hauptrotorkreisfläche): 81,07 sq m
Tail rotor diameter (Heckrotordurchmesser): 1,65 m
Tail rotor disk area (Heckrotorkreisfläche): 2,14 sq m

Cabin length (Kabinenlänge): 2,13 m
Cabin height (Kabinenhöhe): 1,27 m
Cabin width (Kabinenbreite): 1,2 m
Baggage hold (Gepäckraum): 0,45 cu m

Weights (Massen)
Empty weight (Leermasse): 772 kg
Useful load (Zuladung): 679 kg
Max. external load (max. Außenlast): 680 kg
Fuel (Kraftstoff): 344 litres usable
Max. take-off weight (Max. Startmasse): 1450 kg or 1519 kg with external load

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Max. speed (Höchstgeschwindigkeit): 226 km/h at max. take-off weight or 241 km/h at reduced weight
Maximum cruise speed (max. Reisegeschwindigkeit): 213 km/h
Rate of climb (Steigrate): 6,5 m/s at sea level
Service ceiling (Dienstgipfelhöhe): 4115 m (13500 ft)
Hover ceiling OGE (Schwebeflughöhe ohne Bodeneffekt): 1615 m or 915 m at ISA + 20 deg C
Hover ceiling IGE (Schwebeflughöhe im Bodeneffekt): 4023 m or 3110 m at ISA + 20 deg C
Range (Reichweite):
- 693 km at sea level, long-range cruise speed, no reserves
- 732 km at 1525 m, long-range cruise speed, no reserves
Endurance (Flugdauer): 4,5 hrs

Costs (Kosten)
The Bell 206L-3 sold at 730000 US-Dollars in early 1999. With the 250-C-20R engine, the price was 765000 US-Dollars.
In January 1999, the average operating costs per hour were given as 196,18 US-Dollars (Fuel at 1,5 Dollars per gallon and labour rate at 50 Dollars per hour).

Customers (Kunden)
Bell and its licensees have produced over 4400 206B JetRangers.
Civil deliveries in 1996 were 47.
One of the largest users of the JetRanger is Petroleum Helicopters.
Among recent military/paramilitary customers are the Slovenian Territorial Forces and the Croatian Military Air Force.

Competitors (Konkurrenz)
Eurocopter EC 120 Colibri
MD Helicopters MD 520N

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
The Bell 206 is one of the most successful helicopter designs of all time. The current JetRanger III model features detail improvements, including:

Allison 250-C20J engine which offers 20 shp moer power
increased diameter tail rotor to allow effective directional control at high altitudes

Nearly 8000 JetRangers have been built for military and civil applications around the world. The current JetRanger III variant is produced since the summer of 1977.

History (Geschichte)
The JetRanger III was introduced in the summer of 1977. Manufacture of the 206L-3 was transferred to Mirabel in Canada in 1986. Agusta in Italy also builds the JetRanger.
Since October 1989, the Allison 250C-20R engine is available as an option, to improve hot and high performance. The modificaton was produced under a joint supplemental type certificate program between Soloy Conversions and Allison.
In February 1991, Bell received one of the largest orders for commercial helicopters ever when Petroleum Helicopters ordered 66 Model 206B-3s and 88 Model 206L-3s for delivery between 1992 and 1995.
In March 1993, Bell won the New Training Helicopter competition of the US Army. For this application, the 206L-3 is designated as TH-67 Creek (photo). More than 150 have been ordered. Also, Taiwan in 1997 contracted for 30 Creeks valued at 40,3 million US-Dollars.
In June/July 1994 Texas aviator Ron Bower used a 206B-3 for a solo round-the world trip in record time. He smashed the previous best of Ross Perot and Jay Coburn by nearly five days. Bower's solo trip took him through 21 countries, and he returned to Fort Worth on 22 July at 13.20 after 24 days, four hours, 36 minutes.

Last updated 11. January 2000

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