The Agusta-Bell AB.206B2 JetRanger II is a 5-seat light utility helicopter powered by a single Rolls Royce Allison 250-C20
turbine engine. In 1961, twelve companies submitted proposals to meet U.S.Army requirements for a four-seat
turbine-powered light observation helicopter. After evaluation, three designs were selected
and 5 of each: the Bell OH-4A; the Hiller OH-5 and the Hughes OH-6, were ordered for trials
by the U.S.Army Aviation Board. The prototype of this Model 206 made its first flight 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 the 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. Next to this commercial
success the Jet Ranger entered after all also the military scene: the Bell 206 Jet Ranger was ordered in 1962
by the US Navy as the TH-57 Sea Ranger. Due to the higher unit price and significant deliver delays on the
original winner of the 1961 U.S.Army competition for a light observation helicopter, the Hughes OH-6, the
U.S. Army reopened in 1968 the light observation helicopter (LOH) bidding. This time Bell was the winner
and an initial order for 2200 OH-58A Kiowa, a military version of the Model 206A followed. Deliveries
of the OH-58A helicopters began in May 1969. 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 206A JetRanger on 13 January 1967, when the first two production aircraft were delivered to customers.
Since, 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 remained in production.
The ICAO Aircraft Type Designator used to classify aircraft types for the AB206B helicopters is B06.
In 1968, Agusta-Bell 206A JetRanger II s/n 8108 was registered HB-1 with the Finnish Air Force / Ilmavoimienat and
entered service with the Border Guard / Rajavartiolaitos. Next to the HB-1 the Border Guard operated two civil registered
AB206As and four AB206Bs. In 1978, the HB-1 was modified to an AB206B JetRanger II and registered OH-HRJ with the Border Guard /
Rajavartiolaitos. The helicopter was operated as OH-HRJ with the Border Guard until 1998, when it was withdrawn from use by
the Finnish Border Guard and offered for sale. The Agusta-Bell 206A JetRanger II was sold to Heli-Holland in the Netherlands.
The helicopter was destined for Heli Hungary Kft., Budapest, which company was established on 13 August 1998, and partially owned by
Heli-Holland Holding BV. On 2 October 1998, the aircraft was registered PH-HHG with Heli Holland Holding BV, Emmer-Compascuum,
as a Bell 206A JetRanger. On 13 November 1998, the registered type of the PH-HHG was corrected to an Agusta-Bell 206A JetRanger.
On 10 December 1998, registration PH-HHG was cancelled as exported to Hungary and on 8 January 1999, the helicopter was registered
HA-LFS by Heli-Holland Holding BV. In Hungary, JetRanger II HA-LFS entered service with Heli Hungary, Budapest. Today the
Agusta-Bell AB.206B JetRanger II HA-LFS is still active in Hungary in service with Fly4Less Kft. Budapest. On 13 October
2001, Agusta-Bell AB.206B2 JetRanger II HA-LFS was seen in it's Heli Hungary colors at the Heli Holland heliport near Emmen, the Netherlands.
Luchtvaart déjà vu
