Agusta-Bell AB 206C-1 JetRanger

Agusta · Italy · first flew 1971 · helicopter

The Agusta-Bell AB 206C-1 JetRanger is an upgraded Italian licence-built version of the Bell 206 series, fitted with the more powerful Allison 250-C20 turboshaft engine.

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 licence-built Bell 206 with uprated Allison 250-C20 engine
Single turboshaft light helicopter on skids
More powerful variant of AB 206B series

Externally nearly identical to other AB 206 variants and the Bell 206; differentiation requires inspection of engine cowling details. The overall JetRanger silhouette — compact, streamlined, skid-equipped — is unmistakable.

Specifications

The Agusta-Bell AB 206C-1 JetRanger has a length of 11.82 m (39 ft).
It has a wingspan of 10.16 m (33 ft).
Its maximum speed is 225 km/h (140 mph).
Typical crew: 1.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

As part of the ongoing development of the AB 206 line, Agusta introduced the C variant incorporating the more powerful Allison 250-C20 engine to improve hot-and-high performance. This variant served alongside earlier models in Italian and export service through the 1970s and 1980s.

Variants

The C-1 designation reflects the specific engine and equipment standard; later improvements continued under the JetRanger III designation in Bell's own line, which Agusta also mirrored.

Where you'll see it

Used by Italian military, paramilitary, and civilian operators. Export customers included Middle Eastern and African armed forces. Many remain in civil service.

Related aircraft

AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.