On this day in aviation history, 63 years ago (December 8, 1962), the Bell 206 took flight for the first time. Originally developed as the YOH-4 by Bell as a light observation helicopter for the United States Army, the 206 is a family of two-bladed, single/twin-engined rotorcraft. The initial flight of the 206 model line was flown by Bell’s YOH-4 (company designation D-250) N73999/62-4202. The flight took place at Bell’s Helicopter plant in Hurst, Texas.
Development of the YOH-4 began on October 4, 1960, when the US Navy, on behalf of the US Army, put out a request to 25 aviation manufacturers for a Light Observation Helicopter (LOH). Alongside 12 other competing aircraft manufacturing companies, Bell developed and submitted a solution, the D-250. Bell would rename the D-250 as the 206, and for Army testing purposes, the 206 was designated as the YOH-4. As flight testing began, the YOH-4 began to earn the nickname “The Ugly Duckling”, due to the aircraft’s less aesthetic appearance in comparison to the competition. A “fly-off” between the Bell, Hughes, and Fairchild-Hiller prototypes led to the ultimate selection of the Hughes OH-6 by the US Army in May 1965.
Although the YOH-4 was not selected by the Army for use as an LOH, Bell still felt that the overall design of the rotorcraft had potential and could serve valuably in the civilian world. Bell further developed the 206 into the JetRanger, which featured a fuselage redesign that improved the helicopter’s capacity and looks. A much sleeker 206 was now flying, which actually had a useful load and the performance to match its good looks. The new Bell 206 began to be introduced in 1967, and the JetRanger was built until 2010, with 7,300 being built in the process.
The Bell 206 JetRanger has served all over the world with commercial and government operators. In the United States, the Army, Navy, and numerous police departments make use of the 206. Powered by a 400-horsepower Allison 250-C20 turboshaft engine, the 206B Jetranger II has a maximum speed of 140 mph, the same as cruise. The 206B’s range is 337 nautical miles, and the service ceiling is 20,000 feet. One pilot flies the helicopter, with a capacity for four passengers.
