General Aviation

Robinson Helicopter Co R66

Manufacturer: ROBINSON HELICOPTER CO

The Robinson R66 is a five‑seat light helicopter that carries an optional cargo compartment. Powered by a Rolls‑Royce RR300 turboshaft, it is derived from the piston‑engine R44 but offers higher speed and smoother flight.

Aircraft Facts

Type Key
robinson-helicopter-co-r66
Class
General Aviation
Registry Count
422
Example Registration
N100KR

Specifications

Length
8.99 m / 29 ft
Height
3.48 m / 11 ft
Max Speed
260 km/h / 160 mph
Cruise Speed
200 km/h / 130 mph
Range
650 km / 350 nmi
Ceiling
4300 m / 14000 ft
First Flight
2007-11-07
Production Start
2007
Total Built
1500

Aircraft Overview

History

Announced in 2007 as Robinson’s first turbine product, the R66 began taking orders in February 2010 and entered preliminary production that same year. Full production started in 2011. By October 25 2010 it received FAA type and production certificates. In 2012 Robinson delivered 191 units while competitors shipped only 40. About 70 % of all R66s are exported. Production rates fluctuated from two per week in 2014 to three per week in 2015, with a contract for 100 RR300 turbines annually over ten years. The aircraft earned Russian certification in March 2013, Canadian in June 2013, and EASA/CAAC approvals in Q2 2014. The Turbine Marine variant with pop‑out floats was FAA certified November 2014. By December 2015 700 R66s had been sold; the 12,000th aircraft (an R66) was delivered January 2017. In August 2020 the company reached its 1,000th R66 and by early 2024 production exceeded 1,500 units.

Design

The R66 is a single‑engine helicopter featuring two‑bladed main and tail rotors and fixed skid landing gear. Its airframe uses advanced composites, aluminum alloy sheets, and chromoly steel. It offers electromechanical instruments with an optional digital glass cockpit. The RR300 turboshaft is lighter and more compact than the R44’s Lycoming O‑540 piston engine, giving the R66 a lower empty weight. Fuel consumption is 23 US gallons per hour of Jet‑A versus 15 US gallons of avgas for the piston model. A cargo hold can carry up to 300 lb (140 kg). Optional equipment includes a cargo hook that raises gross weight from 2,700 to 2,900 lb and a redesigned symmetrical horizontal stabilizer introduced in the 2020s to improve roll stability at high speed.

Variants

The R66 has several variants: the Turbine Marine with pop‑out floats (FAA certified November 2014), the Turbine Newscopter (R66 ENG) certified July 2017, a four‑seat police version equipped with FLIR, searchlight and PA system, and the TH‑66 Sage military trainer for the U.S. Army.

Operations

The R66 is used by law enforcement agencies, corporate operators, private owners, and disaster response teams. Operators include Indonesia National Disaster Management Authority, Nigeria’s Nigerian Air Force, and various police departments worldwide.

Notable Facts

  • First Robinson helicopter powered by a turbine engine.
  • R66 has a dedicated cargo hold that can carry up to 300 lb (140 kg).
  • The RR300 turboshaft is lighter and more compact than the piston O‑540 used in the R44.
  • In 2012, Robinson delivered 191 R66s while competitors delivered only 40 units combined.
  • About 70 % of all R66 aircraft are exported worldwide.
  • The R66 Turbine Marine variant features pop‑out floats that improve water landings.
  • A cargo hook option increases the maximum gross weight from 2,700 to 2,900 lb (1,200–1,300 kg).
  • In early 2024, more than 1,500 R66s had been produced.

Variants

  • R66- 422 registrations - Example N100KR

Machine-Readable Resources

Sources