why is it even permissible to carry commuter passengers on a 206 anymore? Do airplanes like DC-3's still carry government passengers? 

I can see tours but not for regular work. Get a clue FAA. Operators flying stuff that is 80 years old. 

it is very rare when it is the poor helicopters fault it crashed. it does the job and it is very safe. what is regular work.

one of the safest aircraft ever made?

The 206 I fly is a 2015 model.

A tried & true workhorse.  ( not necessarily in HAA , although we flew em in the early 80s before the the L model caught on ) Can't say enough about the 206. A truly great A/C.

I've also been flying the B206L1,3,4, and OH-58A,C since the 80's. It's been the most reliable mule of all helicopters, and actually the safest of any other aircraft!  Howevever it's big brother, the UH-1 Huey, still holds the record for the most accident free TT outside a war zone.   

References to those statistics, please. (...and Bell's marketing department is not  a reference)

Great self incriminating comments. You get what you deserve. Pray to the accomplishments of 1950's engineers. Good enough. We need no more. 

 Damn... what's this fool think about the dozens of old, high-time 500's out there flying live humans around power lines at the end of a rope?

 Plenty of 20,000 hour machines doing real work.

lol dumb troll

ET Tu Brute? 

You are obviously an FNG!! Check back in a few years when you have some experience!

City buses are newer and more reliable. I understand emotional attachment to an air ship but it's time to move on to safer ships. 

I loved my tonka truck as a kid too. Time to grow up 

doesn't work bro and if you think a 206 isn't reliable, you just told everybody you aren't a pilot. called a helicopter a ship too lol poser 

Ive seen 25 year old high time 206s that were flown and maintened to the highest standards and looked new. And 407s that were 5 years old that were neglected and beat to death. Which ones do you want to strap your butt in and fly all day in? 

Your inexperience and ignorance is showing big time. 

I'll put my trust in Turbomeca (Safran.) 

Its a good engine. Too bad they installed it in a garbage airframe.

 Safran Helicoter engines are a ver good engine installed in multiple AF's performing great.

is also a proven reliable engine too.

It took awhile, but it has earned its reutation as a good performer as long as it is not abused. 

you're going back to the early 1940's bro but you ain't flying nothin so you don't have to worry about it.

to do some thinking and research, on your very own.