Bell Helicopter 206l-4

Single Rotorcraft

The Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV represents the final evolution of one of aviation's most successful light helicopter families, stretching the original JetRanger design into a seven-seat utility workhorse. Introduced in 1992, the LongRanger IV features an Allison 250-C30P turboshaft engine producing 650 shaft horsepower, giving it significantly better hot-and-high performance than earlier LongRanger variants while maintaining the type's legendary reliability and relatively low operating costs. Bell stretched the fuselage by 2 feet compared to the original 206B JetRanger, added a fifth main rotor blade for smoother flight, and refined the aerodynamics to create a helicopter equally at home shuttling executives, supporting emergency medical services, or conducting aerial survey work. The LongRanger IV cruises at around 120 knots with a never-exceed speed of 140 knots and a service ceiling near 20,000 feet, making it capable in mountainous terrain and hot climates where many piston helicopters struggle. Its 3-hour endurance and 345-nautical-mile range give operators genuine cross-country capability, while the spacious cabin—wide enough for two stretchers in medevac configuration—offers versatility that keeps the type competitive decades after certification. The skid landing gear keeps maintenance simple, and the proven Allison turbine has accumulated millions of flight hours across the 206 family, contributing to the type's reputation for dispatch reliability. Though Bell ceased LongRanger production in 2017 after building over 1,700 examples across all L-model variants, the 206L-4 remains a common sight at helipads worldwide, particularly in corporate transport and utility roles where its combination of cabin space, performance, and single-pilot certification make economic sense. SkyMeter has tracked 1 flights across 1 airframes and 1 operators, with PREMIER ROTORS LLC the largest observed operator.