Bell 206 vs Bell 427

The Bell 206 JetRanger (light single-turbine, 5 seats) and the Bell 427 (light twin-turbine, 7 seats) sit in different segments — the 206 is the volume single, the 427 a short-production light twin that the 429 later replaced.

Live Market Snapshot

Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily

Bell 206

No active listings right now.

Bell 427
For sale now
8
Listed on 2+ marketplaces
4
Source marketplaces
4
Model years available
2000–2009

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 206Bell 427
All events13291
Serious1920
Fatal3170
Fatalities6700
% Fatal24%0%
View full Bell 206 NTSB record →View full Bell 427 NTSB record →

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Bell 206 Bell 427
Bell 427
View 8 listings →
Median $1,250,000
Price Range — $926,300 – $2,675,000
Category — Twin Turbine Helicopter
Model Specifications
Seats — 8
Cruise Speed — 138 kts (256 km/h)
Range — 394 nm (730 km)
Fuel Burn — 55.0 GPH (208 L/h)
TBO — 3,500 hrs
Overhaul Cost — $400,000
Annual Fixed — $150,000
Hourly Variable — $700
Engines — 2 x Turbo-shaft

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Bell 206

Bell 427

Fuel$302/hr
Variable$700/hr
Annual Fixed$150,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $290,000/yr

Which Should You Buy: Bell 206 or Bell 427?

Bottom line: Choose the 206 for single-turbine economics and the largest support network. Choose the 427 only if you specifically need twin-engine redundancy for IFR or commercial work and accept the thinner parts support of an out-of-production twin — for most missions the 429 (the 427's modern successor) is the better light-twin choice.

Pick the 206 if…

Pick the 427 if…

Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Bell 206 or Bell 427?
It depends on your mission and budget. The 427 cruises at 138 kts with 394 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Bell 427: from $1,295,000. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Bell 206 and Bell 427?
427 engine: Pratt & Whitney Canada PW207D.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
427: about $700/hr variable cost. Variable cost includes fuel, reserves and overhaul accruals. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, annual inspection) add to the total.
Which has more seats and useful load?
427: 8 seats. Useful load = max gross weight minus empty weight; it determines how much fuel plus payload you can carry.
How does maintenance compare — TBO and overhaul cost?
427: 3,500-hour TBO, overhaul ~$400,000. Reaching the time-between-overhaul (TBO) triggers a mandatory engine/airframe rebuild that affects resale value.
Disclaimer: All prices and cost estimates are from third-party sources for informational purposes only. Always obtain professional appraisal and inspection before purchase.
Prices updated daily · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data