Bell 206 vs Bell 429 GlobalRanger

In service^[source]

7,300^[source]

500 (July 2024)^[source]

1962–2017^[source]

2007–present^[source]

1967^[source]

2009^[source]

December 8, 1962 (206) January 10, 1966 (206A)^[source]

February 27, 2007^[source]

Bell YOH-4^[source]

Bell 427^[source]

Bell OH-58 Kiowa Bell 407^[source]

Bell 400 TwinRanger^[source]

4 passengers^[source]

7 passengers (six in passenger compartment; one beside pilot) / 2,755 lb (1,250 kg) payload^[source]

31 ft 2 in (9.50 m)^[source]

7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) length, by 4 ft 2 in (1.27 m) width, by 4 ft 3 in (1.30 m) height, plus 16 ft 3 (453 L) baggage compartment^[source]

873 sq ft (81.1 m 2 )^[source]

1,018 sq ft (94.6 m 2 )^[source]

– NACA 0012 mod (11.3%)^[source]

- Narramore^[source]

116 kn (133 mph; 215 km/h) at MTOW^[source]

4 lb/sq ft (20 kg/m 2 )^[source]

0.09 hp/lb (0.15 kW/kg)^[source]

family of two-bladed, single- and twin-engined helicopters ,^[source]

light, twin-engine helicopter^[source]

When the YOH-4A was eliminated by the Army, Bell went about marketing the aircraft. In addition to the image problem, the helicopter lacked cargo space and only provided cramped seating for three passengers. The solution was a redesigned fuselage, sleeker and aesthetically appealing, adding 16 ft 3 (0.45 m 3 ) of cargo space in the process. A Bell executive contributed to the redesign by drawing two lines on a sketch extending the fuselage to where it meets the tail. 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 .^[source]Bell 206 · Development / JetRanger; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

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 variants. In 1981, a military version, the 206L TexasRanger was released. The original 206L used an Allison 250 -C20R 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.^[source]Bell 206 · Development / LongRanger; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

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.^[source]Bell 206 · Development / LongRanger; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

In 2007, Bell announced an upgrade program for the 206L-1 and 206L-3 designed to modify the aircraft to the 206L-4 configuration; modified aircraft are designated 206L-1+ and 206L-3+. Modifications include strengthened 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.^[source]Bell 206 · Development / LongRanger; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

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-1 (N3911Z). They returned on 30 September, 29 days and 3 hours later, completing the first around-the-world helicopter flight.^[source]Bell 206 · Operational history; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

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). Bower had added a 91-US-gallon (340 L) auxiliary fuel tank, which doubled the JetRanger III's range.^[source]Bell 206 · Operational history; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Upgraded Allison 250-C20J engine and added 2 inches (51 mm) to tail rotor diameter for yaw control.^[source]Bell 206 · Variants / Civilian; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

137 commercial Bell 206B-3s purchased in 1993 as the primary and instrument helicopter trainer for the US Army at Fort Rucker , Alabama. 35 in VFR configuration and 102 in IFR configuration. The US Army has 181 units as of 2026, 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.^[source]Bell 206 · Variants / Military; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Capacity: 4 passengers^[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Length: 38 ft 9.5 in (11.824 m) including rotors^[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Fuselage length: 31 ft 2 in (9.50 m)^[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Height: 9 ft 6.5 in (2.908 m)^[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Interior dimensions: 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) length, by 4 ft 2 in (1.27 m) width, by 4 ft 3 in (1.30 m) height, plus 16 ft 3 (453 L) baggage compartment^[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Empty weight: 1,455 lb (660 kg)^[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Max takeoff weight: 3,200 lb (1,451 kg)^[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Powerplant: 1 × Allison 250-C20 turboshaft engine, 400 hp (298 kW)^[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Main rotor diameter: 33 ft 4 in (10.16 m)^[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Main rotor area: 873 sq ft (81.1 m 2 )^[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Maximum speed: 122 kn (140 mph, 226 km/h) at MTOW (sea level)^[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Maximum speed at 5,000 ft: 116 kn (133 mph; 215 km/h) at MTOW^[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Cruise speed: 120 kn (140 mph, 220 km/h) at MTOW, 5,000 feet^[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Range: 337 nmi (388 mi, 624 km) at MTOW, 5,000 feet, cruise speed, no reserves^[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Service ceiling: 20,000 ft (6,100 m) at MTOW^[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Rate of climb: 1,350 ft/min (6.9 m/s)^[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The Bell 429 has a four-blade rotor system with soft-in-plane flex beams. The rotor blades are composite and have swept tips for reduced noise. The tail rotor is made by stacking two two-blade rotors set at uneven intervals (to form an X) for reduced noise. The combined cabin volume is 204 ft 3 (5.8 m 3 ) with a 130 ft 3 (3.7 m 3 ) passenger cabin and 74 ft 3 (2.1 m 3 ) baggage area, with a flat floor for patient loading. A set of rear clamshell doors under the tailboom is optional for easier patient loading in EMS operations.^[source]Bell 429 GlobalRanger · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The 429 has a glass cockpit with a three-axis autopilot (optional fourth axis kit) and flight director as standard. Standard landing gear are skids. A retractable wheel landing gear is optional and adds five knots to cruising speed. The helicopter is categorized as a single-pilot IFR Category A. It is capable of operating with one engine inoperative. The main transmission is rated for 5,000 hours between overhauls and the tail rotor gearbox is rated for 3,200 hours.^[source]Bell 429 GlobalRanger · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

By July 2018, 325 aircraft had operated 330,000 hours for police forces, air medical teams, and militaries in 42 countries, including Australia, France, Indonesia, Kuwait, Oman, Switzerland, Slovakia, Sweden, Turkey, Thailand, the United States, and the United Kingdom.^[source]Bell 429 GlobalRanger · Operational history; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Swedish Police Authority - 9 (7 ordered in 2014 and 2 in 2018)^[source]Bell 429 GlobalRanger · Operators / Military and government operators; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Capacity: 7 passengers (six in passenger compartment; one beside pilot) / 2,755 lb (1,250 kg) payload

Canadian Coast Guard Royal Australian Navy (historical) Swedish Police Delaware State Police^[source]

204 ft 3 (5.78 m 3 )^[source]

215 US gal (179 imp gal; 814 L) usable with 40 US gal (33 imp gal; 151 L) auxiliary fuel^[source]

155 kn (178 mph, 287 km/h)^[source]

14,130 ft (4,307 m)^[source]

11,280 ft (3,438 m)^[source]

USA/Canada/South Korea^[source]Inventory Origin column; table 2, row 21, cell 2; revision 1365898407; retrieved 2026-10-01

Canada / United States / South Korea^[source]Inventory Origin column; table 2, row 23, cell 2; revision 1365898407; retrieved 2026-10-01