Thu, Mar 03, 2011
Boy... have we been waiting for this... our first flight in a
CERTIFIED R66 Turbine helicopter -- and the only thing more
impressive than our experience with this new bird was the fact that
the actual result exceeded our expectations... and mind you, they
were pretty damned high. STILL... before we get to the flight test,
let's spend some time with Robinson Uber-Flyer Doug Tompkins as we
preflight this amazing new machine.
Preliminary design of the R66 began in 2001 but engineering
began in earnest in 2005 when Robinson reached an agreement with
Rolls-Royce to develop the RR300 turbine engine. RHC Founder and
recently retired President Frank Robinson had considered other
power plant options, but ultimately collaborated with Rolls-Royce
on the RR300, a derivative of the Rolls-Royce model 250 series.
The concept of the R66 is the same that launched the R22 in 1979
and the R44 in 1992: a helicopter designed to perform as well or
better than its competitors but for a lot less money. The R66 is
certified to the current amendment of the federal regulations,
including the latest crashworthiness standards.
Pete Riedl, Robinson’s Chief Engineer, stated,
“Because we were not working to a hard deadline, we had the
opportunity to refine and optimize the design. The performance of
the aircraft, so far, has met or exceeded all of our
expectations.”
Dealer and maintenance support is growing with nearly sixty R66
dealers approved. Robinson is continually reviewing applications
and expects to have world-wide support in place by the end of the
year. With a growing back log of orders, production is underway and
several deliveries are already on the books.
Join Aero-TV as we kick the skids of the R66 and make ready to
test this beast the hard way... by letting Jim (whose not what
you'd call current right now in small helos) loose in it for all
manner of hamhandedness.
And keep an eye out for our flight test programs on flying the
R66 as well as an illuminating interview with Robinson Helicopter
Company President Kurt Robinson.
More News
Runway Lead-in Light System Runway Lead-in Light System Consists of one or more series of flashing lights installed at or near ground level that provides positive visual guidance a>[...]
Aero Linx: Aviation Without Borders Aviation Without Borders uses its aviation expertise, contacts and partnerships to enable support for children and their families – at hom>[...]
Dave Juwel's Aviation Marketing Stories ITBOA BNITBOB ... what does that mean? It's not gibberish, it's a lengthy acronym for "In The Business Of Aviation ... But Not In The Busine>[...]
From 2010 (YouTube Version): Yeah.... This IS A Really Cool Job When ANN's Nathan Cremisino took over the lead of our Aero-TV teams, he knew he was in for some extra work and a lot>[...]
Also: Junkers A50 Heritage, Montaer Grows, Dynon-Advance Flight Systems, Vans' Latest Officially, the Carbon Cub UL and Rotax 916 iS is now in its 'market survey development phase'>[...]
ANN's Daily Aero-Term (04.24.24): Runway Lead-in Light System
See All