C-GRLK Bell 206L-3 Long Ranger c/n 51028 - Alpine Helicopters - Canmore heliport, Canada - 11/06/1999

The Bell 206L1 LongRanger II is a 7-seat light utility helicopter powered by a single Rolls Royce Allison 250-C20B turbine engine. In 1961, Bell developed Model 206 as the OH-4A to meet the U.S.Army requirements. The OH-4A flew first on 8 December 1962. However the Bell OH-4A didn't win the competition, the helicopter was a success as the Bell 206 JetRanger. The prototype of this five-seat commercial model, the Bell 206A JetRanger N8590F, flew on 10 January 1966. Bell received FAA certification for the helicopter on 20 October 1966, and deliveries of the Model 206A powered by a 317 shp Allison C18A engine, started in January 1967. In the early 1970s, production switched to the Model 206B JetRanger II with a 400 shp 250-C20 turboshaft. In September 1973, the development of the LongRanger, a stretched JetRanger was announced. The 206L LongRanger flew first on 11 September 1974 and production started early 1975. The Model 206L1 LongRanger II was introduced in 1978. More than 4800 206Bs and 1700 206Ls have been produced since the introduction of the 206A JetRanger on 13 January 1967, when the first two production aircraft were delivered to customers. Since then, Bell has delivered five different generations of the commercial 206 with its 206A/B JetRangers and 206L/L1/L3/L4 LongRangers. Bell 206 aircraft are currently produced at Bell Helicopter's facility in Mirabel, Canada.

1983-built Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-3 Long Ranger s/n 51028 was registered N42814 in the U.S.A. On 15 May 1992, the registration N42814 was cancelled as the Long Ranger was exported to Canada and registered C-GRLK. On 11 June 1999, the Long Ranger was photographed in the Mountain Rescue Service Canada / Alpine Helicopters colours at the Alpine Helicopters heliport, Canmore, Alberta. Alpine Helicopters Ltd., Canmore, provides air SAR support and avalanche control services for Parks Canada. Bell 206L3 Long Ranger C-GRLK was operated as SAR-helicopter out of Canmore in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The pilots on the rescue helicopters operated by Alpine Helicopters have received training in helicopter sling manoeuvres and mountain rescue techniques. Alpine Helicopter Ltd, Canmore, was founded back in 1983 as Canmore Helicopters. Since, Canmore Helicopters became a wholly owned subsidiary of Alpine Helicopters, Kelowna.