Please help with my research Bell Jetranger III

rookie_author · April 27, 2011

Calling all pilots. Hello. I'm researching for my novel and have my main character flying a Bell Helicopter Jetranger III 206B3. I need to know a couple of things about this helicopter if you can help me out, I would really appreciate it.

This is what I know so far:

Top speed is 130 knots at sea level. Range is 490 km with a ceiling of 5760 meters. I also have a top speed of 220km/hr (roughly 136mph) but don't have an elevation with that speed.

What I need to know are a couple of things:

What is the top speed at 1300 ft above sea level?

How far can you fly at top speed at that elevation? meters or miles, I'll convert.

How long can you fly at top speed if you push the helicopter to its limits? In minutes or hours.

How maneuverable is the helicopter at that top speed?

What maneuvers can you do to avoid an object (like a plane), do you have to slow down or can it be at high speed?

My character isn't worried about keeping the helicopter in good condition, so if its ruined during the medical emergency flight, that's ok.

And if you could answer one more question: when contacting an airport tower is it Heli or Helo or just Helicopter? USMC DH says its Helo. And how is it pronounced?

I'm looking for accuracy but nothing specific; I want it to read as believable but not as a manual. So generalities is perfect.

Thanks to everyone in advance.

Gomer Pylot · April 28, 2011

130 knots is Vne, meaning the maximum allowable speed. It won't go that fast in level flight with maximum continuous power applied. 110 knots is about the best you can do in level flight, lightly loaded. That will be about the same at any altitude. A couple of thousand feet difference in altitude won't make any appreciable difference in performance. The time you can fly is limited by available fuel. A couple of hours of fuel is about all you can load with any sort of payload, but with just a pilot you can top it off, and the amount it holds depends on the model and any modifications that have been made.

You can do whatever is necessary to avoid a collision - climb, descend, turn, or a combination of these. There generally won't be time to do anything else, because if you see the other aircraft earlier, you maneuver to avoid it earlier.

The standard term when contacting an ATC facility is helicopter, no matter what the Marines might think. After all, they're Marines.

Sounds like you're ignoring the standard advice to write about what you know. Good luck with that.

Spike · April 28, 2011

As I sit here chugging along at 100 knots in my old trusty Bell Jetranger. Even though at 1300 feet above the ground, the 2 per is pulsing me to sleep. Back in sixty-nine, I had Charlie to keep me awake over the Mi Kong Delta. Now, 30 years back in the world, I’m dodging the weekend worriers in their one-seventy-two’s and the occasional B-1-R-D-S. Frank Hammer is the name and EMS is the game. “Longbow Towner, lifeguard helicopter triple-three-papa-juliet inbound for Doctors Hospital.....

Wait! Hold on....CUT!

Jetrangers don’t fly “Medical Emergency Flights”.............. Longrangers do...

Edited April 29, 2011 by Spike

Gomer Pylot · April 29, 2011

Jetrangers don’t fly “Medical Emergency Flights”..

And there is a very good reason for that. Neither do R22s.

rookie_author · April 29, 2011

Thank you for the information!! This is what I needed to continue my research so when I do get to the writing I can make it accurate without being specific.

rookie_author · April 29, 2011

Jetrangers don’t fly “Medical Emergency Flights”.............. Longrangers do...

LOL. You've got a good idea there to lead into some interesting character development. The possibilities are endless. Bored pilot, looking for some excitement or perhaps already had the excitement and looking for boredom. You could do a series.

The jetranger is a one shot deal, needed a helicopter the average reader would recognize/visualize.

adam32 · April 30, 2011

LOL. You've got a good idea there to lead into some interesting character development. The possibilities are endless. Bored pilot, looking for some excitement or perhaps already had the excitement and looking for boredom. You could do a series.

The jetranger is a one shot deal, needed a helicopter the average reader would recognize/visualize.

The Longranger looks the same, just longer...hence the name Looongranger.

Shaun · April 30, 2011

This is a romance novel right?

rookie_author · April 30, 2011

This is a romance novel right?

Far from it. Its a mystery. Sorry to disappoint but I've only read two romance novels in my life. Prefer the classics, Stephen King, Grisham and Crichton.

Wally · May 1, 2011

The average un-helicopter pilot reader thinks all small turbine helicopters are "JetRangers" because they're ubiquitous and have a cool, catchy name. It's a nice little pickup truck with a focus-group, macho handle that sticks in your mind.

Asking about evasive capabilities, helicopters do their best sneaking about as low as possible and usually slow, hiding behind terrain, etc. It makes a huge difference even in something as noisy and awkward as a Huey. Speed means room to turn and maneuver, so it's harder to hide really well the faster you go.

I would guess helicopters at altitude are pretty much meat on the plate for a zoomie who knows his stuff. If one really wanted to evade one, get down on the deck as quick as possible.

rookie_author · May 4, 2011

Thank you so much for the information! I really appreciate it.

500F · May 4, 2011

To answer the question that no one seemed to answer, you can perform the evasive manuavers at any speed but the helicopter would be most manouverable around Vy which is about 60knots. Someone with a RFM sould be able to give you the exact number.

as far as avoiding a plane, that would depend on where he is coming at you from.

500F · May 4, 2011

Oh and there are a few jetrangers that do EMS. ITs not such a good idea but they do exist, Hopefully they have C20R's and AFS.

Gomer Pylot · May 4, 2011

Oh and there are a few jetrangers that do EMS. ITs not such a good idea but they do exist, Hopefully they have C20R's and AFS.

Where do they put the patient? And the med crew? There is barely enough room for them in an L model, nevermind in a B.

SBuzzkill · May 5, 2011

I would guess helicopters at altitude are pretty much meat on the plate for a zoomie who knows his stuff. If one really wanted to evade one, get down on the deck as quick as possible.

Yep, your best bet is to try and hide behind something.

Eric Hunt · May 5, 2011

Gomer asked "Where do they put the patient in a 206?"

If an ambulance kit is fitted, the left door pillar comes out, the front door opens forward and the back door opens rearward.

Seat squabs are removed, the back of the copilot seat swings forward from a right side hinge to stop the patient interfering with the controls.

A stretcher is slid in, feet to the front, and it locks into place.

It is possible to have two fitted, one above the other, but I haven't seen it.

Only one medical assistant can be carried, and if the patient's problem is with his feet, not his head, then there is a problem as the attendant is at the wrong end.

Gomer Pylot · May 5, 2011

Gomer asked "Where do they put the patient in a 206?"

If an ambulance kit is fitted, the left door pillar comes out, the front door opens forward and the back door opens rearward.
Seat squabs are removed, the back of the copilot seat swings forward from a right side hinge to stop the patient interfering with the controls.
A stretcher is slid in, feet to the front, and it locks into place.
It is possible to have two fitted, one above the other, but I haven't seen it.
Only one medical assistant can be carried, and if the patient's problem is with his feet, not his head, then there is a problem as the attendant is at the wrong end.

I'm well aware of how it works in an L model, and there is room for two med crew back there. But the discussion is about the B model, and I've never seen a litter kit for one of those. Carrying a patient on a stretcher in a B model would be an emergency situation, IMO, and I'm not aware of any company using them on a regular basis for EMS. OTOH, there are hundreds of L models in use in EMS every day.