Florida-based Load Ranger plans to develop a stripped-down derivative of the Bell 206 JetRanger, aimed at the agricultural spraying market, but key aspects of the programme remain undefined.
A prototype of the Load Ranger 2000 was displayed at the Helicopter Association International show in February, to gauge interest. "I have 13 sprayers waiting for the aircraft," says company president Tom Navickas. He hopes that certification will be achieved within two years, although a source of finance has yet to be found.
The concept is to marry a new lightweight tubular-steel airframe to a used JetRanger dynamic system, to achieve a $500,000 helicopter capable of carrying a 900kg useful load and able to lift a 758litre spray tank, compared with a 455litre tank for the original Bell 206.
The price is based on using components from military surplus Bell OH-58s. The Allison T63 (military 250-C18R) turboshaft is available for around $50,000, with 1,000h life remaining, compared with almost $250,000 for a new 250-C20R, says Navickas. An all-new aircraft would cost around $1.2 million.
The company has been informed by the US Federal Aviation Administration that the helicopter will have to be certificated as a new aircraft. Navickas thus plans to obtain restricted-category certification with a new -C20R, then gain supplemental certification for the change to a used -C18R. He says he will only take orders once the helicopter has been certificated.
Source: Flight International