With over 7,300 built between 1962–2017, the Bell 206 is one of the safest and most successful commercial helicopters ever built
It was originally developed for the United States Army's Light Observation Helicopter program
under the name Bell YOH-4 but was not selected by the Army
Undeterred, Bell continued to improve and successfully marketed the aircraft as the five-seat Bell 206A JetRanger
The Army eventually selected the 206A as a light observation helicopter under the designation OH-58 Kiowa
The Bell 206 was essentially a two-bladed, single-engine helicopter platform and later had a twin-engine option known as the TwinRanger
The basic platform has a length of 12.09 m, a height of 2.84 m, an empty weight of more than 1 ton, and a maximum take-off weight of 3.35 tons
The Bell 206 has a classic design, combining a two-seat cockpit side by side
In front of the windshield is a characteristic short onion-shaped nose
Each crew was provided with hinged automotive-style doors along the sides of the fuselage
The passenger compartment is accessed by sliding doors
The turboshaft drives a two-bladed main rotor installed at the top of the cabin and a two-bladed tail rotor at the rear
The tail rotor was seated facing portside with a vertical dorsal and ventral fin being featured
The undercarriage includes a simple skid arrangement that reduces costs and simplifies maintenance
The Bell 206 is powered by an Allison 250-C20J turboshaft engine, with 317 hp
for a top speed of 140 mph, a range of 430 mi, a service ceiling of 13,500 ft, and a Rate of climb of 1,350 ft/min.
A seven-seat version of the 206 was the 206L LongRanger, and the Italian Agusta-Bell received European license production as the "AB 206"
Proven variants of the line include the "LongRanger II" with the upgraded Allison 250-C28 turboshaft engine
and the "LongRanger III" with the Allision 250-C30P turbo shaft engine
Civilian and military models continue to be used today with countless operators around the world
from Albania and Argentina to Venezuela and Yemen
The Bell 206 was later succeeded by the 407 helicopter