Bell 206
The Bell 206 is a highly successful family of two-bladed, single- and twin-engine light helicopters manufactured by Bell Textron at its Mirabel, Quebec facility.
Originally developed in the 1960s as the YOH-4 for the U.S. Army’s Light Observation Helicopter competition, it was not selected. Bell redesigned the airframe into a sleek, civilian-friendly version and launched it commercially in 1967 as the five-seat Bell 206A JetRanger — an immediate global success.
The redesigned aircraft was later adapted and chosen by the U.S. Army as the OH-58 Kiowa. A stretched, seven-seat derivative followed as the Bell 206L LongRanger, with subsequent variants offering even greater performance.
A twin-engine version of the LongRanger, officially designated the Bell 206LT TwinRanger, was produced in limited numbers. Third-party conversions (such as the Tridair Gemini ST) also provide twin-engine upgrades for the LongRanger.
ICAO aircraft type designators:
- B06 – JetRanger and LongRanger (single-engine)
- B06T – Twin-engine variants (TwinRanger and conversions)
Today, the Bell 206 family — especially the JetRanger and LongRanger — remains one of the most produced and widely operated helicopters in history, trusted for training, law enforcement, tourism, utility work, and private use worldwide.
Key Advantages of Bell 206
- Proven reliability — over 17,000 Bell 206s built since 1967
- Lowest acquisition and direct operating cost in the light-turbine class
- Huge global parts and service network (400+ Allison/RR250 service centers)
- Excellent hot-and-high performance with the C20J and C30P engines
- Quiet, smooth ride (two-bladed rotor with advanced composite blades on later models)
- Easily reconfigured for utility, EMS, police, tourism, or training
Bell 206 Family – Key Models and Specifications
| Model | Bell 206B-3 JetRanger III | Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV | Bell 206LT TwinRanger (rare) |
|---|
| Seats | 5 (1 pilot + 4 passengers) | 7 (1 pilot + 6 passengers) | 7 |
| Engine | 1 × Rolls-Royce 250-C20J (420 shp) | 1 × Rolls-Royce 250-C30P (650 shp) | 2 × Rolls-Royce 250-C20R |
| Max Gross Weight | 3,350 lb (1,520 kg) | 4,450 lb (2,018 kg) | 4,500 lb (2,041 kg) |
| Empty Weight (standard) | ~1,700 lb (771 kg) | ~2,350 lb (1,066 kg) | ~2,600 lb (1,179 kg) |
| Useful Load | ~1,650 lb (748 kg) | ~2,100 lb (953 kg) | ~1,900 lb (862 kg) |
| Max Cruise Speed | 115–120 kt (213–222 km/h) | 120–125 kt (222–232 km/h) | 125 kt |
| Range (standard fuel, no reserves) | 320–350 nm (593–648 km) | 350–380 nm (648–704 km) | 300–330 nm |
| Hover Ceiling IGE | 12,000+ ft (hot/high) | 10,000+ ft | 9,000+ ft |
| Service Ceiling | 20,000 ft | 17,000 ft | 17,000 ft |
| Fuel Capacity (usable) | 91 US gal (344 L) | 110 US gal (416 L) | 110 US gal |
| Main Rotor Diameter | 33 ft 4 in (10.16 m) | 37 ft (11.28 m) | 37 ft |
| Length Overall | 39 ft 6 in (12.04 m) | 44 ft 2 in (13.46 m) | 44 ft 2 in |
| Purchase Price (2025) | New: discontinued (last new ~$1.4M in 2010s) Used 206B-3: $650k–$1.4M | New: discontinued Used L-4: $1.1M–$2.2M | Very rare; $1.8M–$2.5M (when available) |
The Bell 206 remains the benchmark light turbine helicopter for private owners, flight schools, tour operators, law enforcement, and corporate transport — even though new production ended around 2017–2020. Well-maintained examples continue to dominate the used market and are expected to stay in service for decades.