The Bell 206A JetRanger is a 5-seat light utility helicopter powered by a single
Allison C18A
turbine engine. In 1961, Bell developed Model 206 as the OH-4A to meet the U.S.Army requirements. The OH-4A flew
first on 8 December 1962. However the Bell OH-4A didn't win the competition, the helicopter was a
success as the Bell 206 Jet Ranger. The prototype of this five-seat commercial model, the Bell 206A
JetRanger N8590F, flew on 10 January 1966. Bell received FAA certification for the helicopter on
20 October 1966, and deliveries of Model 206A powered by a 317 shp Allison C18A engine, started
in January 1967. In the early 1970s production switched to the Model 206B JetRanger II with a 400 shp
250-C20 turboshaft. The Model 206 was built under license by Agusta in Italy as the AB.206 Jet Ranger.
More than 4800 206Bs and 1700 206Ls have been produced since the introduction of the Bell 206A JetRanger on 13 January 1967, when the first
two production aircraft were delivered to customers. Since then, Bell has delivered five different generations of the commercial 206 with its
206A/B JetRangers and 206L/L1/L3/L4 LongRangers. Bell 206 aircraft are currently produced at Bell Helicopter's facility in Mirabel, Canada.
Production of the Bell 206B3 JetRanger ended in 2011. The Bell 206L4 LongRanger IV will remain in production.
In 1968 Bell 206A JetRanger c/n 179 was registered N4009G in the USA. On 20 August 1979, the 1968-built JetRanger
was registered F-BSUY in France with Ste Cooperative D'Utilisation de Materiel Agricole / Travagi. Bell 206A JetRanger
F-BSUY was registered with a number of owners / operators in France until the registration was cancelled by Air
Affaires EJA France SARL on 10 april 1980. The next day, the JetRanger was registered OO-JMG in Belgium with Transport
Noterman, Amougies. After the helicopter was sold in the Netherlands, registration OO-JMG was cancelled on 16 February
1990. Bell 206A JetRanger c/n 179 was registered PH-HRH with Heli-Holland Holding BV, Emmer-Compascuum, on 28 February 1990.
In service with Heli Holland, JetRanger PH-HRH was substantialy damaged in an accident in Leerdam on 7 August 1993. The
damaged Bell 206A JetRanger PH-HRH was replaced in service with Heli Holland by Agusta-Bell AB.206B Jet Ranger II c/n 8076, that
was registered
PH-HWH with Heli-Holland Holding BV,
Emmer-Compascuum, on 3 September 1993. Registration PH-HRH was cancelled on 31 August 1995 and the wrekkage of the helicopter was
stored. Bell 206A JetRanger PH-HRH was photographed in better days at the Heli-Holland heliport near Emmen.
Luchtvaart déjà vu
