Bell to restart JetRanger line in response to R66

Bell to restart JetRanger line in response to R66

1-Apr-2011 Source: HeliHub.com

Bell is expected to officially announce in the next two weeks that it will reopen the JetRanger production line at Mirabel, Canada, a year after the last airframe (serial 4690) was produced for a customer in British Columbia.

This move is believed to be related to the unexpectedly positive response Robinson Helicopter Co have had launching the R66 in a recession, and Bell realising that they no longer have an entry level turbine helicopter in the marketplace.  While the 206 and the R66 are some way apart on available payload, they feel that without the JetRanger as an available option, they are unwittingly losing market to other manufacturers such as Robinson and perhaps MD Helicopters, the latter now much more bullish from their Afghan Air Force MD530F contract award.

Spokesman Ralph Tifister refused to confirm this story, but the lack of outright denial is likely to be relevant.  HeliHub.com will watch Mirabel with interest.  Further information on this is available here.

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