PANHA Shabaviz 2061
PANHA · Iran · first flew 1994 · helicopter
The Shabaviz 2061 is an Iranian light utility helicopter closely reverse-engineered from the Bell 206 JetRanger, rebuilt and upgraded from refurbished airframes.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.5 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Essentially a Bell 206 JetRanger in Iranian markings
- Two-blade main rotor and slim tail boom
- Single turboshaft on skid landing gear
Visually it is all but indistinguishable from a Bell 206, with a two-blade main rotor, tapering boom and skid gear. A single turboshaft sits above the slim cabin. Iranian markings are often the clearest identifier.
Specifications
- The PANHA Shabaviz 2061 has a length of 9.5 m (31 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.2 m (33 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 225 km/h (140 mph).
- Typical crew: 1 (plus up to 4).
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
PANHA, Iran's helicopter support and overhaul organisation, completed its first indigenous helicopter structure in the mid-1990s. The 2061 combined recovered JetRanger dynamic parts with locally produced components. Its designation is sometimes written 206-1, reflecting that lineage.
Variants
The type is essentially a single model, and should not be confused with the larger Shabaviz 2-75, PANHA's separate Bell 205 and 212 class machine. Detailed published dimensions are scarce, and figures here follow the Bell 206 baseline. Production was limited to a small indigenous run.
Where you'll see it
There is no UK link; the helicopter serves Iranian air arms and the Revolutionary Guard for light utility and liaison work. It provided a route to sustaining rotary capability under sanctions. Numbers built appear to have been modest.
Related aircraft
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