Bell Jet Ranger

Bell Jet Ranger

In the past three decades the JetRanger series definitive light utility and corporate helicopter. Sadly, it can trace is history back to the unsuccessful contender for the United States army competition, which was looking for a light observation helicopter which was one thanks to Hughes 500. On December 8, 1962 the first model 206 made its first flight in to the air. While a couple years later on January 10, 1966 civil 206A which was powered by 235kW Allison C18A also went up in to the sky. Deliveries of the JetRangers also went out that same year.

In the very early 70’s everything switch and they started working on the model 206B, Jetranger II. This was powered by 300kW, 250C20 turboshaft. Also new conversion kits were now available for the A models. The JetRanger III was the third major one in the series; it was powered by 315kW, 250C20B. JetRanger III started making deliveries in the late 70’s. Like before Bell also offered another upgrade kit for the older models to bring them up to the new standard. In 1986, JetRanger production had moved from Texas to Mirabel in Canada. United States Army accepted the JetRangers, for their observation helicopters.