The Bell 206L4 is a light single-engine turbine helicopter and is yet a further improved version of the stretched Bell 206 Jet Ranger first launched by Bell in 1973.
The original LongRanger, the Bell 206L, used the 250-C20 and was underpowered. In short order, Bell introduced the first of many upgrades to this popular machine. Improvements prior to the introduction of the 206L4 include upgraded engines, a beefed up transmission, an increase in the gross weight and a new tail rotor to handle the increased torque. In addition, the deck where the engine and transmission are mounted was redesigned to increase structural rigidity and system redundancy required for IFR certification was added. The Bell 206L4 continues this tradition by providing increased maximum takeoff gross weight and other improvements.
The design of the Bell 206L4 uses the same proven two-bladed teetering rotor used on the Bell 206L1 and L3. The engine used on the Bell 206L4 is the Rolls-Royce 250-C30P. A two-bladed tail rotor provides directional control and the main and tail rotor blades use an extruded aluminum spar with a honeycomb core and bonded skin. The fuselage is made of conventional aluminum alloy. The cabin has two seats in front and an aft cabin with two seats facing aft and a three-seat bench facing forward. The cabin is long enough to allow carrying of two stretchers, one on top of the other, on one side of the cabin. This leaves room for two medical attendants. As with the Bell 206, a skid landing gear is used for the sake of simplicity.
Design of the Bell 206L4 was launched in 1991. Certification was received in late 1992 and IFR certification was achieved the next year. Deliveries started in 1992. This aircraft is produced in Montreal, Canada, with Bell’s other commercial helicopters.