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TH-57 Sea Ranger Helicopter

Last updated: 08 Oct 2021

Description
The TH-57 is a derivative of the commercial Bell Jet Ranger 206. Although primarily used for advance training in the rotary-wing (helicopter) pilot syllabus; these aircraft are also used for photo, chase and utility missions.

Two U.S. Navy TH-57C Sea Ranger helicopters conduct a formation training flight over Pensacola Beach, Fla.
PENSACOLA, Fla. (Feb. 23, 2017) Two U.S. Navy TH-57C Sea Ranger helicopters conduct a formation training flight over Pensacola Beach, Fla. The aircraft are assigned to Training Air Wing 5 aboard Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Milton, Florida. Training Air Wing 5 conducts primary, intermediate, and advanced undergraduate flight training for the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and select international military partners. (U.S. Navy photo by Ensign Antonio More)
Two U.S. Navy TH-57C Sea Ranger helicopters conduct a formation training flight over Pensacola Beach, Fla.
170223-N-HV841-1001
PENSACOLA, Fla. (Feb. 23, 2017) Two U.S. Navy TH-57C Sea Ranger helicopters conduct a formation training flight over Pensacola Beach, Fla. The aircraft are assigned to Training Air Wing 5 aboard Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Milton, Florida. Training Air Wing 5 conducts primary, intermediate, and advanced undergraduate flight training for the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and select international military partners. (U.S. Navy photo by Ensign Antonio More)
Photo By: Ensign Antonio More
VIRIN: 170223-N-HV841-1001

Features
The Jet Ranger was initially designed to compete in a U.S. Army light observation helicopter competition. Bell lost that competition but the 206 was commercially successful. The TH-57 Sea Ranger provides basic helicopter training and advanced Instrument Flight Rules training to several hundred aviation students a year at Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Milton, Florida. The current TH-57B was introduced in 1981 and the TH-57C was introduced in 1982.
The TH-57 sundown will begin in fiscal year 2022 and conclude in the fiscal year 2024 timeframe. Its replacement is the TH-73 Advanced Helicopter Training System.

General Characteristics
Contractor: Bell Helicopter Textron
Date Deployed: First flight: 1961; Operational: 1968
Propulsion: One Rolls Royce Allison 250-C20J turbofan engine
Length: Fuselage - 31 feet (9.44 meters); Rotors turning - 39 feet (11.9 meters)
Height: 10 feet (3.04 meters)
Rotor Diameter: 35 feet 4 inches (10.78 meters)
Weight: empty: 1,595 pounds (725 kg); takeoff maximum: 3,200 pounds (1,455 kg)
Airspeed: 138 miles (222 km) per hour maximum; 117 miles (188 km) per hour cruising
Ceiling: 18,900 feet (5,761 meters)
Range: 368 nautical miles (420 statute miles, 676 km)
Crew: Four (instructor pilot, three student pilots)
Armament: None
 

Point of Contact
Naval Air Systems Command
PEO (T) Public Affairs Officer

47123 Buse Road

Bldg. 2272, Rm 454

Patuxent River, MD 20670-1547

 

(301) 342-3167

 

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