Bell 427 vs Bell 206 JetRanger
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
- For sale now
- 8
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 4
- Source marketplaces
- 4
- Model years available
- 2000–2009
- For sale now
- 78
- Median asking
- $453,960
- Range
- $301,200–$695,200
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 25
- Source marketplaces
- 13
- Model years available
- 1966–2009
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 427 | Bell 206 JetRanger |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 1 | — |
| Serious | 0 | — |
| Fatal | 0 | — |
| Fatalities | 0 | — |
| % Fatal | 0% | — |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Bell 427 | Bell 206 JetRanger |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $926,300 – $2,675,000 | $301,200 – $695,200 |
| Category | Twin Turbine Helicopter | Single Turbine Helicopter |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 8 | 5 |
| Cruise Speed | 138 kts (256 km/h) | 120 kts (222 km/h) |
| Range | 394 nm (730 km) | 337 nm (624 km) |
| Max Gross Weight | — | 3,200 lbs (1,452 kg) |
| 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
EstimateBell 427
Bell 206 JetRanger
Which Should You Buy: Bell 427 or Bell 206 JetRanger?
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 427 if…
- More seats — 8 vs 5.
- Faster cruise — 138 kts vs 120 kts.
- Longer range — 394 nm vs 337 nm.
Pick the 206 JetRanger if…
- Budget matters — from $301,200 vs $926,300, you save ~$625,100.
- More inventory — 76 listings vs 8.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.