The history of the Bell 206 single turbine series helicopter starting in 1966. The 206B-3 Jetranger III replaced the 206B Jetranger II in 1977 and was produced right up until 2010.
There are currently 1,956 206B-3 helicopters in operation, and 2,471 that were manufactured during that timeframe – the largest number of a single model of all 206 model series built.
The 206B Jetranger II aircraft could be modified to a model 206B-3 Jetranger III by the completion of Service Instruction 206-112 (including the installation of the Allison 250- C20B engine). One crew and four passenger seats are available on the 206B-3. The Bell helicopter 206 series makes up 65% of the 9,648 Bell Helicopters produced. Overall, Bell has produced 43% of all the Commercial Western manufactured helicopters (which totals 22,688, per JETNET records in November 2011).
All models except the EC-120B in this field of comparison are powered by a Rolls-Royce 250-C20 engine variant – the Bell 206B-3 utilizing a single Rolls-Royce 250-C20J powerplant. The EC-120B offers the highest power rating value of the field with 400 SHD a transmission from its Turbomeca Arius powerplant [transmission rating is a limiting factor in the total rated and usable engine power output]. The Jetranger III engine offers a transmission rating of 317 SHD, and the Enstrom 480B transmission rating is the lowest at 305 SHD
General characteristics
Crew: one pilot
Capacity: four passengers
Length: 39 ft 8 in (12.11 m)
Height: 9 ft 4 in (2.83 m))
Rotor diameter: 33 ft 4 in (10.16 m)
Disc area: 872 ft² (81.1 m²)
Empty weight: 2,331 lb (1,057 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 3,200 lb (1,451 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Allison 250-C20B turboshaft, 420 shp; derated to 317 shp due to drivetrain limitations (310 kW)
Performance
Never exceed speed: 130 knots (241 km/h, 150 mph)
Maximum speed: 120 knots (222 km/h, 138 mph)
Range: 374 nmi (430 mi, 693 km)
Service ceiling: 13,500 ft (4,115 m)
Rate of climb: 1,350 ft/min (6.9 m/s)
Disc loading: 4 lb/ft² (177 N/m²)
Power/mass: 0.26 hp/lb (427.48784 W/kg)
