Bell 206 Helicopter Charter in Australia

The Bell 206 is a fantastic choice for anyone in need of a fast, quiet, comfortable, and reliable helicopter to fly in, whether for scenic, tour, or charter purposes. A Bell 206 helicopter charter let's you fly around Australia in Style, skipping long airport lines and ground travel altogether, all while riding in a spacious and air-conditioned cabin. 

For those in need of one of the most versatile helicopters for hire, the Bell 206 is a machine of choice. 

This guide will provide you with all of the information you need when it comes to a Bell 206 helicopter hire, such as what the passenger payload is, maximum speed and distance, common uses, and much more. By the end of this guide, you'll know everything there is to know about the Bell 206. 

Introducing the Bell 206 Helicopter

The 206 Bell helicopter is one of the most widely used helicopters in the aviation industry, as it is known for its versatility, smoothness, and reliable performance - a two bladed unit known for its ability to easily adverse weather conditions. 

The first prototype was created by Bell Helicopter in the 1960s, and it was first flown for military purposes as a part of the U.S Army's LOH or Light Observation Helicopter program, and due to its originally unflattering look, it was referred to as the ugly duckling. 

This prototype unfortunately did not win the military contract, and the helicopter was then reimagined for civilian purposes, which brought us the five-seat Bell 206A JetRanger, which had its first flight in 1966 and entered service the next year. 

Over the next 50 years, the Bell 206 series of helicopters steadily grew larger, eventually including the Bell 206A LongRanger, a larger unit capable of carrying up to seven people - both of which are part of the Rotor One fleet. There were also other variants, such as the 206LT TwinRanger, a twin-engine variant, one of many. The Bell 206 saw over 7,300 units produced before production finally ended in 2017.

Although no longer in production, the Bell 206 remains popular for civilian use, such as for corporate and staff travel, scenic flights, helicopter tours around Australia, and for utility purposes as well, such as news gathering, offshore operations, and law enforcement. 

For charter operations, aerial tours, and scenic flights, the Bell 205 LongRanger and JetRanger feature large windows for panoramic views, an extremely smooth ride, and a relatively small footprint designed to allow it to land in remote and tight locations and environments. They're the perfect models for landing at a winery-side helipad.

History of the Bell 206

It all starts in the early 1960's, when Bell Helicopter submitted its YOH-4A design to the U.S Army's LOH program. The initial YOH-4A was rejected, but the aircraft had great potential to operate in fields outside of the military. Bell went about creating the Bell 206A JetRanger in 1966, a sleeker yet more spacious model, capable of carrying up to four passengers. 

This version quickly received its certification from the Federal Aviation Administration, and by 1967 was in full production, and this configuration quickly gained popularity in both government and civilian sectors. Ironically enough, the U.S military would later adopt this exact same airframe and call it the OH-58 Kiowa. 

Thanks to the JetRanger's light weight, low operating costs, compact size, and minimal maintenance needs made it a hit with utility companies, law enforcement, media agencies, and private operators. For a long time, it was the go-to aircraft for news reporting, aerial photography, VIP transport, scenic flights, and even the rare medevac mission.

Bell then expanded its lineup further in 1975 with the Bell 206L LongRanger, which saw several upgrades, such as additional seating, a stretched fuselage, and overall improved technology and flight capabilities. It was just as reliable as the JetRanger, but with more power and space, making it a hit among air ambulance services and private operators who needed greater payload with having to sacrifice range or manoeuvrability. 

Over time, these models saw upgraded engines, better rotor systems, and structural enhancements for better performance at extreme heights and temperatures. The final JetRanger rolled off the production line in 2010, and the final LongLanger in 2017. Even though they may not be in production anymore, with over 7,300 units built, many still remain in the skies for dozens of purposes, with helicopter charters being just one of them.

Who Makes the Bell 206?

The Bell 206 and all of its variants are made by Bell Helicopter, an American aerospace company located in Texas. 

The company is a division of Textron INC. The Bell 206 was originally produced in the Forth Worth, Texas facility, but its production was then relocated to the manufacturing plant in Mirabel, Quebec, Canada. 

Although no longer in production, Bell continues to support existing models through service, parts, and maintenance programs.

Bell 206 Helicopter Technical Specifications and Amenities

The Bell 206 is truly one of the most versatile helicopters in the world, and one of the most widely used aircraft for charter, tour, and scenic purposes, among many other government and civilian uses. 

Let's find out what makes both the JetRanger and the LongRanger so special, and why this is such as excellent aircraft to take flight in.

The Engines

First, we have the Bell 206 JetRanger, which is powered by on Allison 250-C20J turboshaft engine capable of producing up to 317 shaft horsepower, making it a reliable workhorse. 

The LongRanger has a more powerful engine, the Allison 250-C30P, with up to 495 shaft horsepower, making it a reliable aircraft for high altitude conditions, and this makes it ideal for mountainous scenic flights and so much more.

Top Speed

The modifications that both units have undergone over the years has allowed users to travel at great speeds, with the JetRanger achieving a maximum speed of 222 km/h and a cruising speed of 185 km/h. 

What is surprising to note is that one would think that the added weight and size of the LongRanger would be a problem in terms applications that require speed, but the LongRanger also has a crusing speed of 185 km/h. 

Both helicopters allow users to fly in a stable and minimal-vibration environment, making them ideal for passenger comfort.

Cabin Volume

What also makes the Bell 206 helicopter an aircraft of choice for so many different purposes, especially aerial touring and scenic flights, is that the JetRanger can accommodate up to four passengers plus the pilot, with the LongRanger have even better specifications on this front. 

The LongRanger is able to carry up to six passengers plus the pilot, which is thanks to its extended fuselage length and reconfigured seating. 

Both feature large wrap around windows, allowing users to see all the way around and below the helicopter, another reason why both models are such ideal choices for touring, scenic, and charter purposes. The cabin configuration is perfect for these purposes.

Top Payload

Yet another thing that makes both of these models so popular is that they have excellent payload capabilities. The JetRanger can carry a number of users up to 590kg in total, along with an external load of 360kg. 

The internal payload of the LongRanger is 562kg, but with a massively upgraded external payload capacity of 567kg, thus allowing the LongRanger to function as an excellent utility helicopter.

Operational Distance 

The JetRanger features a maximum range of 430km, ideal for shorter and regional flights, such as scenic flights out of Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Darwin, and more. 

The LongRanger, as the name implies, has an extended range of 563km on a full tank, making it an ideal helicopter to explore all of Australia's regions. It's ideal for accessing remote locations, for extended charters, and for day tours.

Cargo Capabilities

Both the JetRanger and LongRanger have ample storage space in the rear dedicated baggage compartment, making it easy for tour operators and charters when it comes to carrying passenger baggage and equipment. 

The Interior

What stands out about both of these units is that they have an interior layout that prioritises safety, visibility, and comfort. the JetRanger has a relatively snug cabin, but it works well for up to four passengers, plus it features panoramic views. 

We then have the LongRanger, which features a more spacious cabin, ample legroom, and a variety of comfort upgrades, officially making it one of the most popular helicopters in the world for charter, scenic, and touring purposes. It's a great helicopter if you want to explore.

Bell 206 Helicopter Typical Use Cases

The Bell 206 has several use cases - as mentioned before, it truly is a workhorse. 

• The Bell 206 is often used for sightseeing tours - such as coastal, city, and alpine scenic tours with Rotor One. These models are also fantastic for winery tours and pub crawls. 
• Another common use for the Bell 206 is for both private charters and airport transfers, particularly the LongRanger, thanks to its ample seating. 
• Aerial photography and filming, along with news and information gathering, are also in the wheelhouse of the Bell 206. 
• The Bell 206 is often used for government, law enforcement, and air ambulance purposes as well. Search and Rescue work is also often performed with these units. 

Aside from these common uses, the Bell 206 is also used for border patrol, resource exploration, firefighting and agricultural support, corporate transport, environmental surveys, and more. 

Bell 206 Helicopter Hire with Rotor One

If you'd like a Bell 206 helicopter charter or hire for scenic or touring purposes, Rotor One has you covered. Contact us for details to arrange a scenic flight, winery tour, pub crawl, transfer, or charter in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Darwin, and Perth.