Versatile Single-Engine Design Priced at a ‘Competitive’ $3.3 Million

For the first time in nearly 15 years, Robinson Helicopter Company (RHC) has unveiled a new design: the R88. It is claimed to be the company’s largest and most capable helicopter, designed to meet a wide range of mission requirements while maintaining affordability and reliability.

The chopper debuted on March 9 ahead of Vertical Aviation International’s (VAI) VERTICON event in Dallas, Texas. At the presentation, Robinson shared that it expects the R88 to become the ‘pickup truck’ that the utility helicopter market has been lacking.

"With the unveiling of the R88, we expect to disrupt the single-engine helicopter market, offering superior performance and capabilities at a competitive price," commented RHC CEO David Smith. “As the most vertically integrated manufacturer of helicopters in the world, we have a unique opportunity to provide solutions that no other manufacturer can – a highly-capable and affordable helicopter with readily available parts and predictable maintenance.”

The R88 is powered by the Safran Arriel 2W, a 1,000-shaft horsepower engine that has accumulated over 66 million flight hours worldwide. Robinson has bundled the engine with the Serenity package, which is a five-year or 2,000-hour maintenance plan that includes unscheduled removals coverage, health monitoring, and digital services.

With a maximum seating capacity of ten, the R88 provides approximately 275 cubic feet of cabin space. The aircraft has a range of over 350 nautical miles and an endurance exceeding 3.5 hours. It features a flat cabin floor, multiple seating configurations, and a truck-bed style rear door for simplified cargo loading and air medical operations.

The cockpit is equipped with a Garmin G500H TXi all-glass avionics suite, touchscreen GTN navigators, and a four-axis autopilot with hover assist, level mode, and low/high-speed protection. For safety, the R88 includes dual hydraulics for pitch and roll control, an inlet barrier filter, and impact-resistant windshields certified to transport helicopter standards. LED lighting enhancements improve visibility for night operations.

Robinson has also introduced a dual cyclic control system, allowing pilots to fly from either seat using removable controls. The R88 will be certified for optional single-pilot IFR operations.

The base price of the R88 is $3.3 million in its standard configuration. Before deliveries can begin, however, the aircraft has a lengthy testing and type certification process to complete.

FMI: www.robinsonheli.com