Bell 206 JetRanger vs Bell 212
The Bell 206 JetRanger and Bell 212 both trace their origins to the US military's helicopter programs of the 1960s — the JetRanger descended from the Army's OH-58 Kiowa observation helicopter, the 212 from the UH-1 Huey in its twin-engine version. In civilian life, they serve entirely different markets. The JetRanger is the iconic five-seat light single-turbine helicopter — the helicopter of news crews, corporate transport, and tourism around the world. The Bell 212 (officially the Twin Two-Twelve) is a twin-turbine medium helicopter carrying thirteen to fourteen passengers, designed for oil patch operations, utility work, and medium-lift commercial applications. The comparison reveals the full range of the "Bell turbine helicopter" family.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
- For sale now
- 78
- Median asking
- $453,960
- Range
- $301,200–$695,200
- Model years available
- 1966–2009
- For sale now
- 10
- Model years available
- 1976–1996
Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.
Safety Record
Absolute counts scale with fleet size — the most-produced types log more events without being less safe. Compare the % fatal.
| NTSB (1982–now) | Bell 206 JetRanger | Bell 212 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | — | 54 |
| Serious | — | 10 |
| Fatal | — | 17 |
| Fatalities | — | 45 |
| % Fatal | — | 31% |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Bell 206 JetRanger | Bell 212 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $301,200 – $695,200 | $1,870,000 – $3,585,000 |
| Category | Single Turbine Helicopter | Twin Turbine Helicopter |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 5 | 15 |
| Horsepower | — | 900 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 120 kts (222 km/h) | 115 kts (213 km/h) |
| Range | 337 nm (624 km) | 240 nm (444 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 20,000 ft (6,096 m) | 17,000 ft (5,182 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 3,200 lbs (1,452 kg) | — |
| Useful Load | 1,492 lbs (677 kg) | 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) |
| Fuel Burn | 30.0 GPH (114 L/h) | 80.0 GPH (303 L/h) |
| TBO | — | 3,500 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | — | $450,000 |
| Annual Fixed | — | $180,000 |
| Hourly Variable | — | $900 |
| Engines | 1 x Turboshaft | 2 x Turboshaft |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateBell 206 JetRanger
Bell 212
Which Should You Buy: Bell 206 JetRanger or Bell 212?
Bottom line: Choose the Bell 206 JetRanger for light utility, corporate transport, tourism, agricultural, and training operations where five seats and single-turbine economics match the mission. The JetRanger's maintenance base is one of the most mature in civilian rotorcraft — Bell and the aftermarket have fifty-plus years of parts and technique accumulated. Choose the Bell 212 when passenger count, slung load capacity, or twin-engine requirements define the mission. Oil and gas field support, mountain rescue, and medium-lift utility work are the 212's natural habitat — not a JetRanger cross-shop, but a different product tier entirely. Safety axis: the Bell 212's twin-engine configuration (Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T-3 "Twin Pac") provides redundancy at the power demand levels of a medium helicopter, making it suitable for offshore oil and gas support where the consequences of a single-engine failure at low altitude over water are maximally severe.
Pick the 206 JetRanger if…
- Budget matters — from $301,200 vs $1,870,000, you save ~$1,568,800.
- Faster cruise — 120 kts vs 115 kts.
- Longer range — 337 nm vs 240 nm.
- More inventory — 85 listings vs 11.
Pick the 212 if…
- More seats — 15 vs 5.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.