Bell 206

Last updated

Bell 206 JetRanger/LongRanger
LAPD Bell 206 Jetranger.jpg
An LAPD Bell 206 JetRanger
General information
TypeMultipurpose utility helicopter
National originUnited States/Canada
Manufacturer Bell Helicopter
StatusIn service
Number built7,300 [1]
History
Manufactured1962–2017 [2]
Introduction date1967
First flightDecember 8, 1962 (206) [3]
January 10, 1966 (206A) [4]
Developed from Bell YOH-4
Variants Bell OH-58 Kiowa
Developed into Bell 407

The Bell 206 is a family of two-bladed, single- and twin-engined helicopters, manufactured by Bell Helicopter at its Mirabel, Quebec, plant. Originally developed as the Bell YOH-4 for the United States Army's Light Observation Helicopter program, it was not selected by the Army. Bell redesigned the airframe and successfully marketed the aircraft commercially as the five-place Bell 206A JetRanger. The new design was eventually selected by the Army as the OH-58 Kiowa.

Contents

Bell also developed a seven-place LongRanger, which was later offered with a twin-engined option as the TwinRanger, while Tridair Helicopters offers a similar conversion of the LongRanger called the Gemini ST. The ICAO-assigned model designation "B06" is used on flight plans for the JetRanger and LongRanger, and the designation "B06T" is used for the twin-engined TwinRangers.

Development

Origins and JetRanger

A YOH-4A LOH in flight Oh4a002.jpg
A YOH-4A LOH in flight

On October 14, 1960, the United States Navy solicited responses from 25 aircraft manufacturers to a request for proposals (RFP) on behalf of the Army for the Light Observation Helicopter (LOH). Bell entered the competition along with 12 other manufacturers, including Hiller Aircraft and Hughes Tool Co., Aircraft Division. [5] Bell submitted the D-250 design, which would be designated as the YHO-4 . [6] On May 19, 1961, Bell and Hiller were announced as winners of the design competition. [7] [8]

Bell developed the D-250 design into the Bell 206 aircraft, redesignated as YOH-4A in 1962, and produced five prototype aircraft for the Army's test and evaluation phase. The first prototype flew on December 8, 1962. [3] The YOH-4A also came to be known as "The Ugly Duckling" in comparison to the other contending aircraft. [3] Following a fly-off of the Bell, Hughes and Fairchild-Hiller prototypes, the Hughes OH-6 was selected in May 1965. [9]

When the YOH-4A was eliminated by the Army, Bell went about solving the problem of marketing the aircraft. In addition to the image problem, the helicopter lacked cargo space and only provided cramped seating for the planned three passengers. The solution was a redesigned fuselage, sleeker and aesthetically appealing, adding 16 ft3 (0.45 m3) of cargo space in the process. [10] A Bell executive contributed to this redesign by drawing on a sketch two lines extending the fuselage to where it meets the tail. [11] The redesign was designated Bell 206A, and Bell President Edwin J. Ducayet named it the JetRanger, denoting an evolution from the popular Model 47J Ranger.

Bell Helicopter ended production of the Bell 206B-3 version in 2010. [12] [2] In 2011, used 206B-3s sold for around $1.4 million depending upon the equipment and configuration. [13] Bell intends for the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X to replace the 206 five-seat versions from around 2015 and compete with the Robinson R66. [14]

LongRanger

A Bell 206-L4 of the Bangladesh Army S3-BSJ Bangladesh Army Aviation Bell 206-L4. (32913769604).jpg
A Bell 206-L4 of the Bangladesh Army

The 206L LongRanger is a stretched variant with seating for seven. The fuselage, stretched a total of 30 inches (760 mm), adds two rear-facing seats between the front and rear seats. Since 1975, Bell has produced more than 1,700 LongRangers across all variant types. In 1981, a military version, the 206L TexasRanger was released. The original 206L used an Allison 250-C20B engine, and a series of model upgrades replaced this engine with more powerful versions; the 206L-1 used a 250-C28, and the 206L-3 and 206L-4 used the 250-C30P.

In both applications, the 250-C30P is derated from 650 hp for takeoff and 501 hp continuous. The 206L-3 is transmission-limited to 435 hp for take-off, and the 206L-4 is transmission-limited to 495 hp. The derating of the C30P produces an advantage in hot-day and high-altitude operations as it can produce the rated horsepower at higher altitudes and temperatures where applications that use the maximum rating of the engine at sea level suffer accelerated performance deterioration with increases in temperature and altitude. The 206L-3 and L-4 have not been offered in a twin configuration under those model designations.[ citation needed ]

In 2007, Bell announced an upgrade program for the 206L-1 and 206L-3 which is designed to modify the aircraft to the 206L-4 configuration; modified aircraft are designated 206L-1+ and 206L-3+. Modifications include strengthened airframe structural components (including a new tailboom), improved transmission, upgraded engine for the L-1, all of which result in a maximum gross weight increase of 300 pounds and increased performance. [15]

Production of the 206L-4 ended in June 2017 with over 3800 LongRanger's produced. [2]

Gemini ST and TwinRanger

The TwinRanger name dates from the mid-1980s when Bell developed the Bell 400 TwinRanger , but it never entered production. [16]

In 1989, Tridair Helicopters began developing a twin-engine conversion of the LongRanger, the Gemini ST. The prototype's first flight was on January 16, 1991, while full FAA certification was awarded in November. Certification covers the conversion of LongRanger 206L-1s, L-3s and L-4s to Gemini ST configuration. [16] In mid-1994 the Gemini ST was certificated as the first Single/Twin aircraft, allowing it to operate either as a single or twin engine aircraft throughout all phases of flight. [16]

The Bell 206LT TwinRanger was a new-build production model equivalent to Tridair's Gemini ST, and was based on the 206L-4. Thirteen 206LTs were built, the first being delivered in January 1994, and the last in 1997. The TwinRanger was replaced in Bell's lineup by the mostly-new Bell 427 . [16]

Operational history

A Bell 206L-4 Long Ranger IV (operated by CTV British Columbia), departing Vancouver Harbour helipad Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV C-FTHU (CTV News).jpg
A Bell 206L-4 Long Ranger IV (operated by CTV British Columbia), departing Vancouver Harbour helipad

The first Bell 206A flew on January 10, 1966, and the aircraft was revealed later that month at the Helicopter Association of America (HAA) convention. On October 20, 1966, the JetRanger received FAA certification. Delivery of the JetRanger to customers began on January 13, 1967, with the first aircraft being purchased by Harry Holly, CEO of the Hollymatic Corporation and previous owner of a Bell Ranger. [10] In 1968, the United States Navy selected the 206A as its primary trainer, the TH-57 Sea Ranger. The Army also eventually selected the 206A for a light observation helicopter as the OH-58 Kiowa.

The basic shape and design of the JetRanger remained unchanged since 1967, but Bell introduced the 206B JetRanger II in 1971. In 1977, the 206B-3 JetRanger III was introduced with its modified tail rotor and more powerful engine. The JetRanger is popular with news media for traffic and news reporting. The LongRanger is commonly used as an air ambulance and as a corporate transport. On September 1, 1982, pilots H. Ross Perot, Jr. and Jay Coburn departed Dallas, Texas in the "Spirit of Texas", a Bell 206L-2 (N3911Z). They returned on 30 September, 29 days and 3 hours later, completing the first around-the-world helicopter flight. [17]

The Bell 206B was first introduced to the Canadian market shortly after its certification in 1967. Its early adoption was driven by the booming resource industries of the time, particularly in oil and gas exploration, mining, and forestry. Its light weight, combined with the ability to land in rugged, remote locations, made it an ideal tool for transporting geologists, surveyors, and equipment to otherwise inaccessible areas of Canada's vast wilderness.

In the 1970s and 1980s, the JetRanger became a critical part of exploration in northern Canada, including the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Arctic regions, where harsh weather conditions and rough terrain demanded a helicopter that could perform in all environments. The Bell 206B's durability and low operating cost also made it a favorite for these long, sometimes dangerous missions. [18]

In 1983, Australian businessman Dick Smith became the first helicopter pilot to complete a solo trip around the world in 260 flight hours. During the trip, he landed his 206B-3 (S/N 3653; VH-DIK) on prepositioned container ships to refuel between Japan and the Aleutian Islands.

In 1993, the U.S. Army chose the Bell 206B-3 as the winner of the New Training Helicopter competition, to serve as its primary training helicopter, the TH-67 Creek. The number of TH-67s being divested by the Army is too small to impact civilian markets. [19]

On July 22, 1994, Ron Bower landed his 206B-3 (N206AJ) at Hurst, Texas, setting a new record for around-the-world flight by a helicopter. Bower had departed on June 24 and returned 24 days, 4 hours, 36 minutes and 24 seconds later, averaging 35.62 knots (40.99 mph, 65.97 km/h). [20] Bower had added a 91-US-gallon (340 L) auxiliary fuel tank, which doubled the JetRanger III's range. [21]

Notable accidents and incidents

On August 1, 1977, famous U-2 spy plane pilot Francis Gary Powers was piloting a helicopter for KNBC Channel 4 over West Los Angeles, California, when the aircraft crashed, killing him and cameraman George Spears. They had been video recording brush fires in Santa Barbara County in the station's helicopter and were leaving the area. [22]

On August 27, 1990, musician Stevie Ray Vaughan, pilot Jeff Brown, and three members of Eric Clapton's crew, Bobby Brooks, Nigel Browne, and Colin Smythe, were killed in a 206B crash. [23]

On October 25, 1991, a Bell 206 carrying rock music concert promoter Bill Graham, his girlfriend Melissa Gold, and pilot Steve Kahn crashed into a transmission tower west of Vallejo, California, killing everyone on board. [24] [25] The cause of the accident was determined to be the pilot's intentional flight into known adverse weather conditions. [26] [ importance? ]

On January 12, 1994, an Agusta-Bell 206A-1 crashed while attempting to land at the helipad of the Central Command headquarters in Neve Yaakov, killing all four occupants on board, including IDF Major General Nehemiah Tamari. [27] [28]

On March 9, 2009, Bangladesh Army aviation unit Bell 206L flown by pilot Lt Col MD Shahidul Islam and co-pilot Major Saif crashed at Rouha in Kalihati sub-district. The helicopter was carrying General Officer Commanding of 55 Infantry Division and Jessore Area Commander Maj Gen Rafiqul Islam. Maj Gen Islam and pilot Lt Col Islam died in the crash while co-pilot Major Saif sustained serious injuries. [29]

On August 20, 2014, Guatemala's Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Rudy Ortiz was killed when his Bell 206 crashed. [30]

On February 11, 2019, Brazilian journalist Ricardo Boechat and the pilot were killed when Bell 206B, PT-HPG, crashed into a truck while attempting an emergency landing on a highway. [31]

Variants

Civilian

Bell 206B Jet Ranger III at Filton Airfield, Bristol, England. Used for electricity pylon patrols. Bell.206b.jetranger.III.g-mfmf.arp.jpg
Bell 206B Jet Ranger III at Filton Airfield, Bristol, England. Used for electricity pylon patrols.
Bell 206
Five YOH-4A prototypes, for flight evaluation in the Army's LOH program (1963).
Bell 206A
Initial production version, powered by an Allison 250-C18 turboshaft engine. FAA-certified in 1966. Selected as the OH-58A Kiowa in 1968.
Agusta-Bell 206A
License-built in Italy.
Bell 206A-1
OH-58A aircraft that are modified for FAA civil certification. [32]
Agusta-Bell 206A-1
License-built in Italy.
Bell 206B
Upgraded Allison 250-C20 engine. [33]
Agusta-Bell 206B
License-built in Italy.
Bell 206B-2
Bell 206B models upgraded with Bell 206B-3 improvements. [33]
Bell 206B JetRanger tail end Bell 206B JetRanger II AN1761224.jpg
Bell 206B JetRanger tail end
Bell 206B-3
Upgraded Allison 250-C20J engine and added 2 inches (51 mm) to tail rotor diameter for yaw control. [33]
Bell 206L LongRanger
Stretched, seven-seat configuration, powered by an Allison 250-C20B turboshaft engine.
Bell 206L-1 LongRanger II
Higher-powered version, powered by an Allison 250-C28 turboshaft engine.
Bell 206L-1+ LongRanger
Bell modifications, including 250-C30P engine, to upgrade aircraft to 206L-4 configuration.
Bell 206L-3 LongRanger III
Powered by an Allison 250-C30P turboshaft engine.
Bell 206L-3+ LongRanger
Bell modifications to upgrade aircraft to 206L-4 configuration.
Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV
Improved version, 250-C30P engine and transmission upgrade.
Bell 206LT TwinRanger
Twin-engined conversions and new-builds of the 206L; replaced by the Bell 427.
A Bell 206L-3 Bell 206L3 (D-HASA).jpg
A Bell 206L-3
Bell 407
based on the 206L with four-blade rotor system.
Bell 417
upgraded 407 with larger engine; project canceled.
Cardoen Cb 206L-III
Chilean modified LongRanger III with narrow forward fuselage and flat-plate cockpit windows. At least two converted, with first flight in 1989. [34]
HESA Shahed 278
An Iranian re-hash of Bell 206 components.
Aurora Flight Sciences Tactical Autonomous Aerial Logistics System test platform

Military

Bell 206AS
Export version for the Chilean Navy.
Bell CH-139 JetRanger
Canadian military designation for the Bell 206B-3.
Hkp 6A
Swedish Army designation for the Agusta-Bell 206A. 21 units manufactured in Italy, used as training, liaison, light transport, scout and anti-tank helicopters armed with ATGMs. [35]
Hkp 6B
Swedish Navy designation for the Agusta-Bell 206A. 10 units manufactured in Italy, used as anti-submarine helicopters, armed with depth charges. This variant was equipped with emergency inflatable floats. [35]
OH-58 Kiowa
Light observation helicopter that replaced the OH-6A Cayuse.
TH-57A Sea Ranger
40 commercial Bell 206A aircraft purchased as the primary U.S. Navy helicopter trainer in January 1968 for training prospective U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard and select NATO/Allied helicopter pilots. [36]
US Navy TH-57C TH57C boat ops.jpg
US Navy TH-57C
206L TexasRanger
proposed export military version. One demonstrator was built (1981).
TH-57B
45 commercial Bell 206B-3 helicopters purchased by the US Navy in 1989 as replacements for the TH-57A for primary training under visual flight rules.
TH-57C Sea Ranger
71 commercial Bell 206B-3 helicopters purchased by the US Navy beginning prior to 1985 with cockpits configured for advanced training under instrument flight rules.
TH-57D
Planned upgrade program to convert US Navy TH-57B and TH-57C aircraft to a single standard digital cockpit. [37] This program never materialized in operational aircraft.[ citation needed ]
TH-67 Creek
137 commercial Bell 206B-3s purchased in 1993 as the primary and instrument helicopter trainer for the US Army at Fort Novosel, Alabama. 35 in VFR configuration and 102 in IFR configuration. The US Army currently has 181 units, of which 121 are in VFR configuration and 60 are in IFR configuration. All TH-67s display US registrations ("N" numbers) and are operated as public use aircraft.

Operators

List of military operators of the Bell 206. Current users in blue and former users in red. World operators of the Bell 206.svg
List of military operators of the Bell 206. Current users in blue and former users in red.

The Bell 206 has been popular for all types of uses both commercial and private.

Military and government

An Albanian Air Force AB206 at Farke airbase A new looking AB206 at Farke airbase. (11278474235).jpg
An Albanian Air Force AB206 at Farke airbase
Bulgarian Air Force Bell 206 Bell 206 bulgaria 02.JPG
Bulgarian Air Force Bell 206
Flag of Albania.svg  Albania
Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina
Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh
Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil
Bangladesh Air Force Bell 206 Bangladesh Air Force Bell-206 (2) (cropped).jpg
Bangladesh Air Force Bell 206
Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria
Flag of Brunei.svg  Brunei
Flag of Cameroon.svg  Cameroon
Chilean Air Force Bell 206 H-21 Bell 206 Jetranger Fuerza Aerea De Chile (7334711276).jpg
Chilean Air Force Bell 206
Flag of Chile.svg  Chile
Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia
Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svg  Democratic Republic of the Congo
Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia

Flag of Cyprus.svg  Cyprus

A Bell 206L-3 LongRanger of the Cyprus Air Command Bell 206L-3 LongRanger III 111.jpg
A Bell 206L-3 LongRanger of the Cyprus Air Command
Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg  Dominican Republic
Flag of Ecuador.svg  Ecuador
Flag of Finland.svg  Finland
Flag of Greece.svg  Greece
Flag of Guatemala.svg  Guatemala
Flag of Guyana.svg  Guyana
Flag of Iran.svg  Iran
An Italian Army Agusta-Bell 206 Agusta-Bell AB-206A JetRanger, Italy - Army JP7373821.jpg
An Italian Army Agusta-Bell 206
Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq
Flag of Israel.svg  Israel
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy
Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia
Flag of Lesotho.svg  Lesotho
Flag of North Macedonia.svg  North Macedonia
Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico
Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco
Flag of Oman.svg  Oman
Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan
Flag of Peru.svg  Peru
Flag of Poland.svg  Poland
Slovenian Air Force and Air Defence Bell 206 Bell 206 BRZOL SV, september 13, 2009.jpg
Slovenian Air Force and Air Defence Bell 206
Flag of Slovenia.svg  Slovenia
Flag of Sri Lanka.svg  Sri Lanka
Flag of the Republic of China.svg  Republic of China (Taiwan)
Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand
Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey
Ugandan Air Force Bell 206 Uganda People's Defence Force Air Wing Bell 206B JetRanger II MTI-1.jpg
Ugandan Air Force Bell 206
Flag of Uganda.svg  Uganda
A TH-67A Creek of the US Army TH-67A Creek.jpg
A TH-67A Creek of the US Army
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
A Chicago Police Department Bell 206 Bell 206 KM 6159 city of chicago police helicopter august 2007.jpg
A Chicago Police Department Bell 206
Flag of Venezuela.svg  Venezuela
Flag of Yemen.svg  Yemen
Flag of Zambia.svg  Zambia

Former operators

Swedish Navy Bell 206B in camouflage Bell 206B (Hkp-6) 06054 54 (SE-HGX) (8353213254).jpg
Swedish Navy Bell 206B in camouflage
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Flag of Chile.svg  Chile
Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia
Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica
Flag of Malta.svg  Malta
Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia
Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden

Specifications (206B Jetranger II)

Bell 206A JetRanger 3-view drawing Bell 206A orthographical image.svg
Bell 206A JetRanger 3-view drawing

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft, 1976-1977 [77]

General characteristics

Performance

Notable appearances in media

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bell OH-58 Kiowa</span> 1967 scout helicopter series by Bell Helicopter

The Bell OH-58 Kiowa is a family of single-engine single-rotor military helicopters used for observation, utility, and direct fire support. It was produced by the American manufacturer Bell Helicopter and is closely related to the Model 206A JetRanger civilian helicopter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AgustaWestland AW109</span> Turbine helicopter by Leonardo

The AgustaWestland AW109, originally the Agusta A109, is a lightweight, twin-engine, eight-seat multi-purpose helicopter designed and initially produced by the Italian rotorcraft manufacturer Agusta. It was the first all-Italian helicopter to be mass-produced. Its production has been continued by Agusta's successor companies, presently Leonardo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bell Textron</span> Aerospace manufacturer in the United States

Bell Textron Inc. is an American aerospace manufacturer headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. A subsidiary of Textron, Bell manufactures military rotorcraft at facilities in Fort Worth, and Amarillo, Texas, United States as well as commercial helicopters in Mirabel, Quebec, Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bell 407</span> Civil 7-seat utility helicopter

The Bell 407 is a four-blade, single-engine, civil utility helicopter. A derivative of the Bell 206L-4 LongRanger, the 407 uses the four-blade, soft-in-plane design rotor with composite hub developed for the United States Army's OH-58D Kiowa Warrior instead of the two-blade, semi-rigid, teetering rotor of the 206L-4.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bell 427</span> Utility helicopter

The Bell 427 is a twin-engine, multirole, light utility helicopter designed and manufactured by Bell Helicopter and Samsung Aerospace Industries. It has been replaced in production by the larger Bell 429.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MBB Bo 105</span> Helicopter made by Bölkow

The Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm Bo 105 is a light, twin-engine, multi-purpose helicopter developed by Bölkow of Ottobrunn, West Germany. It was the first light twin-engine helicopter in the world, and the first rotorcraft that could perform aerobatic maneuvers such as inverted loops. The Bo 105 features a hingeless rotor system, a pioneering innovation in helicopters when it was introduced into service in 1970. Production of the Bo 105 began at the then-recently merged Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bell 412</span> Utility transport helicopter family by Bell

The Bell 412 is a utility helicopter of the Huey family manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It is a development of the Bell 212, with the major difference being the composite four-blade main rotor. It is a twin-turbine helicopter that has been popular on the civilian and military markets, and major users include Canada, Italy, and Japan. Several hundred have been produced since its introduction in 1979, and several iterations of upgrades and variations have been produced, such as with upgraded cockpit electronics.

Líder Aviação is a Brazilian airline specialising in air charter, aircraft sales and aircraft maintenance. Its main base is in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, where it has a presence at both airports. It has other bases throughout Brazil; at Congonhas Airport and Guarulhos International Airport in São Paulo, Santos Dumont Airport, Jacarepaguá Airport and Galeão International Airport in Rio de Janeiro, Brasília International Airport, Recife's Guararapes International Airport, Macaé Airport, Val de Cães International Airport in Belém, Vitória Airport, Salvador International Airport, Porto Alegre's Salgado Filho International Airport, Santa Maria Airport (Sergipe), and Eduardo Gomes International Airport in Manaus. Bristow Group, a large U.S.-based helicopter operator with worldwide operations supporting the offshore oil and gas industry, has a 41,9 % stake in Lider.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fairchild Hiller FH-1100</span>

The Fairchild Hiller FH-1100 is a single-engine turbine, single two-bladed rotor, light helicopter that was designed and produced by the American aircraft manufacturer Fairchild Hiller in the 1960s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bell YOH-4</span> Light helicopter

The Bell YOH-4 was a single-engine, single-rotor light helicopter, developed for the United States Army's Light Observation Helicopter program. While the YOH-4A was unsuccessful in the original LOH competition, Bell redesigned it as the sleek Bell 206A JetRanger for the commercial market, and enjoyed instant and lasting success. In 1967, the Army reopened the LOH competition, and the 206A-based OH-58 Kiowa was selected.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bell 204/205</span> American helicopter series

The Bell 204 and 205 are the civilian versions of the UH-1 Iroquois single-engine military helicopter of the Huey family of helicopters. They are type-certificated in the transport category and are used in a wide variety of applications, including crop dusting, cargo lifting, Forestry Operations, and aerial firefighting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AgustaWestland AW119 Koala</span> Single-engine, eight-seat utility helicopter manufactured by Leonardo

The AgustaWestland AW119 Koala, produced by Leonardo since 2016, is an eight-seat utility helicopter powered by a single turboshaft engine produced for the civil market. Introduced as the Agusta A119 Koala prior to the Agusta-Westland merger, it is targeted at operators favoring lower running costs of a single-engine aircraft over the redundancy of a twin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HT-8</span> Military unit

Helicopter Training Squadron EIGHT (HT-8) is a United States Navy helicopter training squadron based at Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Milton, FL. The squadron's mission is helicopter pilot training for U. S. Navy, U. S. Marine Corps and U. S. Coast Guard Student Naval Aviators and for selected foreign military flight students from basic helicopter flight training through winging. Student Naval Aviators report to HT-8 for helicopter training upon completion of primary flight training conducted in the T-6B Texan II U. S. Navy primary flight trainer. HT-8 flies the TH-73A Thrasher, an

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Enstrom 480</span>

The Enstrom 480 is a small, light helicopter produced by the Enstrom Helicopter Corporation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HT-18</span> Military unit

Helicopter Training Squadron EIGHTEEN (HT-18) is a United States Navy helicopter training squadron based at Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Milton, Florida. The squadron's mission is helicopter pilot training for U. S. Navy, U. S. Marine Corps and U. S. Coast Guard Student Naval Aviators and for selected foreign military flight students from basic helicopter flight training through winging, the squadron also provides indoctrination fights for Midshipmen and Flight Surgeons. Student Naval Aviators report to HT-18 for helicopter training upon completion of primary flight training conducted in the T-6B Texan II U. S. Navy primary flight trainer. HT-18 flies both the TH-57B Sea Ranger and the TH-57C Sea Ranger. The Squadron's nickname is "Vigilant Eagles"

Command Airways was an airline based in Johannesburg, South Africa, operating scheduled services from 6 September 1977 to 30 June 1980 and thereafter non-scheduled services only.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bell 47J Ranger</span> Type of aircraft

The Bell 47J Ranger is an American single-engine single-rotor light helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It was an executive variant of the highly successful Bell 47 and was the first helicopter to carry a United States president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bell H-13 Sioux</span> Single-engine single-rotor light military helicopter

The Bell H-13 Sioux is an American single-engine light helicopter built by Bell Helicopter and manufactured by Westland Aircraft under license for the British military as the Sioux AH.1 and HT.2. It was the first helicopter to be certified for civil use.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bell 505 Jet Ranger X</span> Single-turbine light helicopter

The Bell 505 Jet Ranger X (JRX) is an American/Canadian light helicopter developed and manufactured by Bell Helicopter. The Bell 505 was unveiled at the 2013 Paris Airshow in June 2013 as the Bell SLS. The Bell 505 designation was officially announced in February 2014. Its first flight occurred on November 11, 2014. The helicopter was certified by Transport Canada in December 2016. By 2023 about 500 have been sold, popular uses so far include for personal, sightseeing, law enforcement, and training.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1977 Encino helicopter crash</span> Crash killing Francis Gary Powers

On August 1, 1977, a Bell 206 news helicopter piloted by American pilot Francis Gary Powers ran out of fuel and crashed into a field near Encino, Los Angeles, California, killing Powers and the aircraft's only passenger, cameraman George Spears.

References

Citations

  1. ↑ Bell 206 JetRanger Archived February 12, 2005, at the Wayback Machine . GlobalSecurity.org, July 9, 2005. Retrieved: December 2009
  2. 1 2 3 Last Bell LongRanger Rolls Off Production Line. AIN online, July 10, 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 Visschedijk, lJohan. "Bell 206 JetRanger". 1000AircraftPhotos.com. 16 October 2003. Accessed on 19 September 2006
  4. ↑ Donald, David, ed. "Bell 206". The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Barnes & Nobel Books, 1997. ISBN   0-7607-0592-5
  5. ↑ Remington, Steve. "Collect Air". Archived from the original on June 21, 2009. Retrieved June 28, 2009. "The Cessna CH-1 Helicopter". CollectAir.com
  6. ↑ Beechy, Robert. "US Army Aircraft Acquisition Programs". Archived from the original on November 18, 2006. Retrieved September 20, 2006. "U.S Army Aircraft Acquisition Programs". Uncommon Aircraft 2006, November 18, 2005. Accessed on September 19, 2006
  7. ↑ See Light Observation Helicopter . The Navy, who was assisting the Army in the selection phase, recommended the Hiller Model 1100, while the Army team preferred the Bell D-250, and then the 1100. The Selection Board selected both aircraft. Afterwards, the acting Army Chief of Staff directed the Selection Board to include the Hughes 369 in the fly-off competition.
  8. ↑ Spangenberg, George A. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 10, 2008. Retrieved September 10, 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) George A. Spangenberg Oral History. spangenberg.org. Judith Spangenberg-Currier, ed. pp. 187–190. Accessed on April 29, 2008
  9. ↑ Spenser, Jay P. "Bell Helicopter". Whirlybirds, A History of the US Helicopter Pioneers, p. 263. University of Washington Press, 1998. ISBN   0-295-98058-3
  10. 1 2 Aastad, Andy. "The Introduction to the JetRanger" Archived September 10, 2008, at the Wayback Machine . Rotor Magazine. Helicopter Association International. Winter 2006–2007. Accessed on 29 April 2008
  11. ↑ George Larson Archived March 21, 2010, at the Wayback Machine "Farewell to an Icon: the Bell JetRanger 206". Aviation Week blog, January 25, 2008
  12. ↑ Bell Product Line Streamlined. Bell Helicopter, January 24, 2008
  13. ↑ "Bell 206A JetRanger for Sale". Archived from the original on April 15, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  14. ↑ Maher, Guy. "Bell gives 505 JetRanger update". Vertical, 21 July 2014. Accessed: 21 July 2014. Archived on 21 July 2014.
  15. ↑ Kocurek, Mark. "206L Upgrade Program" [ permanent dead link ]. Rotorbreeze Magazine Bell Helicopter, July 2007
  16. 1 2 3 4 Frawley, Gerard: The International Directory of Civil Aircraft, 2003–2004, p. 43. Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd, 2003. ISBN   1-875671-58-7
  17. ↑ "List of records established by the '206L-2 Long Ranger'". Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. Archived from the original on October 18, 2001. Retrieved October 19, 2008.
  18. ↑ "Bell 206B Jet Ranger".
  19. ↑ Host, Pat (April 2015). "Army's aviation restructuring not to affect civil helicopter market". Rotor & Wing. Archived from the original on April 12, 2015. Retrieved April 12, 2015.
  20. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20011018054626/http://records.fai.org/rotorcraft/aircraft.asp?id=606 "List of records established by the '206B-3 Jet Ranger III'". Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. Accessed on October 19, 2008
  21. ↑ Kocks, Kathleen. "Around the World in 24 days, 4:36:24". Rotor & Wing. October 1994. Accessed October 19, 2008
  22. ↑ "Capt. Francis Gary Powers". Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  23. ↑ "The Death of Stevie Ray". srvarchive.com. Retrieved October 20, 2019.[ permanent dead link ]
  24. ↑ NTSB (April 27, 1993). "NTSB Identification: LAX92LA029". ntsb.gov. NTSB. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  25. ↑ Bruce Lambert (November 27, 1991). "Bill Graham, Rock Impresario, Dies at 60 in Crash". The New York Times . Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  26. ↑ Check Six (December 22, 2022). "Bill Graham's Stairway to Heaven". check-six.com. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  27. ↑ "Israeli General Killed in Copter Crash". Los Angeles Times. January 13, 1994. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  28. ↑ "Accident Agusta-Bell 206A-1 Sayfan, Wednesday 12 January 1994". asn.flightsafety.org. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  29. ↑ https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-79207
  30. ↑ PanAm Post Staff (August 22, 2014). "Helicopter Crash Kills Guatemala's Army Chief of Staff". PanAm Post. Archived from the original on August 27, 2014. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  31. ↑ "Ricardo Boechat, jornalista, morre aos 66 anos em queda de helicóptero em SP". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). February 11, 2019. Archived from the original on February 11, 2019. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  32. ↑ "TYPE CERTIFICATE DATA SHEET NO. H2SW, Revision 42" (PDF). Federal Aviation Administration (faa.gov). June 27, 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 26, 2006. Retrieved July 4, 2016.
  33. 1 2 3 Ron and Shannon Bower (May 1, 2003). "Bell 206: Still Ringing True". Aviation Today (aviationtoday.com). Archived from the original on October 23, 2006.
  34. ↑ Lambert 1991, p. 30.
  35. 1 2 3 4 "HKP 6 – Agusta Bell 206A JetRanger (1968–2004)". avrosys.nu. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
  36. ↑ "TH-57" (PDF). U.S. Navy History. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 14, 2007. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  37. ↑ "US Navy Plans Digital TH-57 Fleet" Archived April 22, 2007, at the Wayback Machine VTOL News, January 2007.
  38. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 "WAF 2014" (PDF). Flightglobal Insight. 2014. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 7, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  39. ↑ "Army Bell 206B Jetranger III AE-366". © 2006-2013 Airplane-Pictures.net. Archived from the original on December 22, 2014. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
  40. ↑ Rivas, Santiago (January 25, 2018). "Argentina receives first five AB 206 helicopters". IHS Jane's 360. Buenos Aires. Archived from the original on January 26, 2018. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  41. ↑ "World Air Forces 2011–12" (PDF). flightglobal.com. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 9, 2013. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  42. ↑ "Bangladesh Army Aviation Accepts Two Dauphin Helicopters". malaysiaflyingherald.wordpress.com. January 23, 2013. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  43. 1 2 3 "World Air Forces 2021". FlightGlobal. December 4, 2020. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  44. ↑ "BELL 206 – Aviación Policial de la Policía Nacional". National Police of Colombia. January 23, 2016. Archived from the original on April 14, 2017. Retrieved April 13, 2017.
  45. ↑ "World Air Forces 2022" . Flightglobal. 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  46. ↑ "Policija Fleet".
  47. ↑ "Current Aircraft Inventory Cyprus Air Command – Aeroflight". March 2017. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  48. ↑ Hoyle, Craig (2023). "World Air Forces 2024". FlightGlobal . Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  49. 1 2 Petrova, Alla (November 27, 2012). "The government today ordered the Finance Ministry to allocate the State Border Guard LVL 0.84 million from the budget's emergency funds for the procurement of two helicopters". The Baltic Course. Archived from the original on May 24, 2013. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
  50. ↑ "Iraqi air force opens pilot training school". flightglobal.com. Archived from the original on December 13, 2014. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
  51. ↑ Hoyle Flight International 9–15 December 2014, p. 42
  52. ↑ "Elbit extends military pilot training deals with Israel". flightglobal.com. Archived from the original on December 13, 2014. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  53. ↑ J-HangarSpace. "Japan Coast Guard: Aircraft Data File". Archived from the original on February 11, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  54. ↑ "Helicopters from Finland accepted into service in Latvia". baltic-course.com. Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  55. ↑ "Lotnictwo w Policji – Główny Sztab Policji – Policja.pl". Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  56. ↑ "Bell Textron Canada TH-67A Creek". taiwanairpower.org. Archived from the original on January 25, 2013. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
  57. ↑ http://www.tpad.police.go.th/news1.php Archived April 17, 2015, at the Wayback Machine Royal Thai Police
  58. ↑ "Chicago Police Department / Cook County Sheriff's Police Task Force" (PDF). Chicago Police.
  59. ↑ "Aviation – San Juan County Sheriff's Office". sjcso.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2016. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  60. ↑ "LAPD Equipment". lapdonline.org. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  61. ↑ "Aircraft Inquiry". registry.faa.gov. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  62. ↑ "Aircraft Inquiry". registry.faa.gov. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  63. ↑ "Special Operations". City of Memphis. Archived from the original on May 17, 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  64. ↑ "OPD Helicopter (@OPDABLE1) – Twitter". twitter.com. Archived from the original on October 14, 2017. Retrieved November 9, 2017.
  65. ↑ "Air support (helicopter) unit". kingcounty.gov. Archived from the original on June 2, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  66. ↑ "Special Operations Section | New Jersey State Police". www.njsp.org. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  67. ↑ "N33PP (1983 BELL 206L-3 owned by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR) Aircraft Registration". FlightAware. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  68. ↑ "World Air forces p. 55". Flight International. flightglobal. December 2014.
  69. ↑ "Aircraft Histories RAN". Navy.gov.au. Archived from the original on February 13, 2014. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
  70. ↑ "Bell CH-139 JET RANGER". canadianwings.com. Archived from the original on June 16, 2013. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  71. ↑ "Bell 206 in Canadian Coast Guard". Helis.com.
  72. ↑ "A 40 años del Comando de Aviación de Ejército". Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  73. ↑ "P-3001 Bell 206B-2 JetRanger C/N 1868". helis.com. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  74. ↑ "JDF "Rotary wing" previous fleet". jdfmil.org. Archived from the original on May 11, 2013. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
  75. ↑ "Air Wing, Armed Forces of Malta". aeroflight.co.uk. Archived from the original on June 12, 2011. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
  76. ↑ "Serbian Interior Ministry Air Wing". aeroflight.co.uk. Archived from the original on July 11, 2009. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
  77. ↑ Taylor, John W. R. (1977). Jane's All The World's Aircraft (1976-1977 ed.). Croydon, England: Jane's Information Services. p. 227.
  78. ↑ Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
  79. ↑ "AAIB Bulletin No: 9/95" (PDF). Air Accidents Investigation Branch.

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.