With spacious interiors and expansive doors, the Bell 206L LongRanger can comfortably accommodate up to six passengers for journeys spanning a distance of 690km. These helicopters boast a cruising speed of 210kph and can stay airborne for over 3.7 hours, making them versatile for various purposes such as anti-poaching endeavors, corporate transportation, charter services, and aerial work.
Sport Helicopters uses the Bell LongRanger 206L, a single engine turbine helicopter capable of carrying up to 6 persons or 400 kg’s of cargo.
These helicopters are used for anti-poaching and other aerial work, as well as private and corporate charter services. This helicopter is a low maintenance machine that is maintained without much effort.
The history of the 206
The Bell 206 is a type of helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter at its plant in Mirabel, Quebec. Originally designed for the United States Army’s Light Observation Helicopter program as the Bell YOH-4, it was not chosen by the Army. However, Bell made modifications to the aircraft and successfully sold it commercially as the five-seater Bell 206A JetRanger. Eventually, the redesigned model was selected by the Army and became known as the OH-58 Kiowa.
In addition to the JetRanger, Bell also developed a larger version called the LongRanger, capable of carrying seven passengers.
The 206 LongRanger
The 206L LongRanger is a longer version of the helicopter that can seat up to seven people. It has been produced by Bell since 1975, with over 1,700 units made so far. In 1981, they released a military version called the 206L TexasRanger. The original model used an Allison 250-C20B engine, but it was later upgraded to more powerful versions in subsequent models. These upgrades included the use of the 250-C28 engine in the 206L-1 and the 250-C30P engine in the 206L-3 and 206L-4.
In both applications, the 250-C30P engine is derated from its maximum horsepower for takeoff and continuous operation. The 206L-3 is limited by its transmission to 435 hp for takeoff, while the 206L-4 is limited to 495 hp. This derating actually provides an advantage in hot weather and high-altitude conditions because it allows the engine to maintain its rated horsepower at higher altitudes and temperatures where engines operating at their maximum rating suffer performance deterioration.
Specifications
- Crew: 1 pilot
- Capacity: 6 passengers
- Length: 39 ft 8 in (12.11 m)
- Rotor diameter: 33 ft 4 in (10.16 m)
- Height: 9 ft 4 in (2.83 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-C20J turboshaft, 420 shp; derated to 317 shp due to drivetrain limitations (310 kW)
- 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 (430 W/kg)
