Bell 206 Series Helicopters for Sale — The World's Most Popular Light Turbine
Ask any helicopter pilot to name the aircraft that defined light turbine aviation, and most will say the Bell 206 JetRanger without hesitation. Introduced in 1966, the Bell 206 went on to become the best-selling commercial helicopter in history — over 7,300 examples built across more than four decades of production — serving in roles ranging from police aviation and EMS to offshore crew transfer, news gathering, corporate transport, powerline patrol, and primary turbine flight training. The Bell 206 family is arguably the most recognized helicopter silhouette in the world, and the depth of the pre-owned market, parts availability, and trained maintenance base it has accumulated over its production life is unmatched in the light turbine category.
The Bell 206 Family — Understanding the Variants
The 206 family encompasses several distinct aircraft that share a common design heritage but differ significantly in capability and mission suitability:
- Bell 206A JetRanger — The original, powered by an Allison 250-C18 producing 317 shp. Seats four passengers plus pilot. Many still flying in training and personal use roles.
- Bell 206B JetRanger II — Uprated Allison 250-C20 engine at 400 shp, improved performance and higher gross weight than the 206A.
- Bell 206B-3 JetRanger III — The definitive JetRanger, with the Allison 250-C20J at 420 shp and numerous refinements. The most common 206 variant on the pre-owned market.
- Bell 206L LongRanger — Extended fuselage variant seating up to six passengers, powered by Allison 250-C28B at 500 shp. A significant capability step over the standard JetRanger for passenger transport missions.
- Bell 206L-3 LongRanger III — Improved LongRanger with Allison 250-C30P at 650 shp, increased gross weight, and better hot-and-high performance.
- Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV — Final LongRanger production, with Allison 250-C30P engine and numerous system improvements. The premium LongRanger on the pre-owned market.
- Bell 206LT TwinRanger — Twin-engine conversion of the LongRanger airframe, providing twin-engine safety margins in a familiar package.
Market Depth and Value
The Bell 206 pre-owned market is the deepest and most liquid in the light turbine category. Thousands of examples are actively traded worldwide every year, which means buyers have genuine choice across a range of model years, configurations, and price points — and sellers can reach a large global pool of qualified buyers. Maintenance costs are controlled by the enormous installed base of Rolls-Royce (formerly Allison) 250-series engines, which are overhauled by dozens of approved facilities worldwide at competitive rates. Parts availability is excellent, and the number of A&P mechanics with 206-specific experience and training is larger than for any other light turbine type.
Choosing the Right 206 Variant
The choice between JetRanger and LongRanger versions comes down primarily to passenger requirements. If you regularly carry three or fewer passengers and single-pilot operation is a priority, the JetRanger III offers excellent efficiency and the lowest acquisition and operating costs in the light turbine segment. If you routinely need to carry five or six passengers — for offshore crew transfer, air tours, EMS with full team, or corporate shuttle — the LongRanger's extra cabin length and more powerful engine make it the right choice despite somewhat higher operating costs. The LongRanger IV represents the best combination of performance and modernity in the 206L family and commands a premium that reflects its capabilities.
Find Your Bell 206 on Airplane Trade
Airplane Trade lists the full Bell 206 family — JetRanger II, JetRanger III, LongRanger, LongRanger III, and LongRanger IV — from verified sellers worldwide. Training aircraft, police aviation variants, EMS-configured examples, personal use 206Bs, and high-time corporate LongRangers are all represented in our listings. Use our search filters to find the exact 206 variant, year, and configuration you need, and connect directly with sellers who have complete maintenance records and documentation ready for review.