FORCETALLY
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At a glance
Measured figures
206B Jetranger II · including rotors
Single source38 ft 9.5 in (11.824 m) including rotors[source]
K-MAX · rotors running
Configuration
| Specification | Bell 206 | Kaman K-MAX |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Multipurpose utility helicopter[source] | Medium lift helicopter[source] |
| National origin | United States / Canada[source] | — |
| Manufacturer | Bell Helicopter[source] | Kaman Aircraft[source] |
| Status | In service[source] | Production ended, in service[source] |
52 ft (16 m) rotors running[source]
K-MAX · with rotors running
Single source51 ft 5 in (15.67 m) with rotors running[source]
Empty; 206B Jetranger II · Empty weight
Single sourceMaximum take-off; 206B Jetranger II · Max takeoff weight
Single source1,455 lb (660 kg)[source]
3,200 lb (1,451 kg)[source]
Empty; K-MAX · Empty weight
Single sourceMaximum take-off; K-MAX · without slung load
Single source206B Jetranger II · 1 × Allison 250-C20 turboshaft engine
Single source1 × Allison 250-C20 turboshaft engine, 400 hp (298 kW)[source]
K-MAX · 1 × Honeywell T5317A-1 turboshaft engine, 1,350 shp ( ) flat rated for take-off up to ~29,000 ft (8,839 m) to increase transmission life
Single source1 × Honeywell T5317A-1 turboshaft engine, 1,350 shp (1,010 kW) flat rated for take-off up to ~29,000 ft (8,839 m) to increase transmission life[source]
Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.
| Number built | 7,300[source] | — |
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| Manufactured | 1962–2017[source] | 1991–2003, 2015–2023[source] |
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| Introduction date | 1967[source] | — |
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| First flight | December 8, 1962 (206) January 10, 1966 (206A)[source] | December 23, 1991[source] |
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| Developed from | Bell YOH-4[source] | — |
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| Variants | Bell OH-58 Kiowa Bell 407[source] | — |
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| Developed into | Bell 400 TwinRanger[source] | — |
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| Capacity | 4 passengers[source] | 6,000 lb (2,722 kg) external load at ISA +15 °C (59.0 °F) at sea level 5,663 lb (2,569 kg) external load at ISA +15 °C (59.0 °F) at 5,000 ft (1,524 m) 5,163 lb (2,342 kg) external load at ISA +15 °C (59.0 °F) at 10,000 ft (3,048 m) 5,013 lb (2,274 kg) external load at ISA +15 °C (59.0 °F) at 12,100 ft (3,688 m) 4,313 lb (1,956 kg) external load at ISA +15 °C (59.0 °F) at 15,000 ft (4,572 m)[source] |
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| Fuselage length | 31 ft 2 in (9.50 m)[source] | — |
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| 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] | — |
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| Main rotor area | 873 sq ft (81.1 m 2 )[source] | 3,669 sq ft (340.9 m 2 )[source] |
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| Blade section | – NACA 0012 mod (11.3%)[source] | - root: NACA 23012 ; tip: NACA 23011[source] |
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| Maximum speed at 5,000 ft | 116 kn (133 mph; 215 km/h) at MTOW[source] | — |
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| Disk loading | 4 lb/sq ft (20 kg/m 2 )[source] | 3.52 lb/sq ft (17.2 kg/m 2 )[source] |
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| Power/mass | 0.09 hp/lb (0.15 kW/kg)[source] | 0.1045 hp/lb (0.1718 kW/kg)[source] |
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| Role | family of two-bladed, single- and twin-engined helicopters ,[source] | — |
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| Source measurement | 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 | — |
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| Fuel capacity | — | 1,541 lb (699 kg) / 228.5 US gal (190 imp gal; 865 L)[source] |
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| Length of fuselage | — | 41 ft 9 in (12.73 m)[source] |
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| Never exceed speed | — | 100 kn (120 mph, 190 km/h) clean[source] |
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| Hover ceiling IGE | — | 26,300 ft (8,016 m) at 6,000 lb (2,722 kg) AUW, ISA[source] |
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| Fuel consumption | — | 85 gal/h (71 imp gal/h; 322 L/h)[source] |
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