Agusta AB 206B-3 JetRanger
Agusta · Italy · first flew 1971 · helicopter
The Agusta AB 206B-3 JetRanger is an Italian licence-built version of the Bell 206B-3, featuring the same Allison 250-C20J turboshaft and five-seat configuration as the American original.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 11.82 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Italian-built Bell 206 JetRanger licence derivative
- Skid undercarriage, two-blade semi-rigid main rotor
- Single Allison 250 turboshaft engine
Essentially identical in appearance to the Bell 206B-3: a compact single-engine light helicopter with a streamlined teardrop fuselage, two-blade main rotor, and skid undercarriage; Agusta-built examples carry Italian manufacturer plates but are otherwise visually indistinguishable.
Specifications
- The Agusta AB 206B-3 JetRanger has a length of 11.82 m (39 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.16 m (33 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 216 km/h (134 mph).
- Typical crew: 1 + 4 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Agusta of Italy held a long-standing licence agreement with Bell Helicopter to produce the JetRanger family for European and other markets. The AB 206B-3 represented the third and most refined generation of this partnership, incorporating improvements in engine output and avionics over earlier marks.
Variants
Agusta produced the AB 206A, AB 206B, and AB 206B-3 in sequence, mirroring Bell's own JetRanger evolution; the AB 206C LongRanger was a stretched version for greater payload.
Where you'll see it
Widely sold to military, police, and civil operators across Europe and beyond; the type served with several NATO air arms as a trainer and utility helicopter and remained in service well into the 2000s.
Related aircraft
- Agusta-Bell AB 206C-1 JetRanger
- Agusta-Bell AB 212ASW
- Agusta-Bell AB 206B-1 JetRanger
- Agusta AB 204AS
- Agusta A109
- AgustaWestland Super Lynx
- AW109
- Westland Lynx
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