The Robinson R66 is a helicopter designed and built by Robinson Helicopter Company. It has five seats, a separate cargo compartment and is powered by a Rolls-Royce RR300turboshaft engine. The R66 is slightly faster and smoother than the piston-powered Robinson R44 from which it is derived. The R66 received both type and production certificates from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on October 25, 2010.[3] The R66 is a larger and turbine powered derivative of the Robinson R22 and R44 family of helicopters.
Development
R66 Cockpit controls
Announced in 2007, the R66 was designed to be the company's first turbine-powered product and to extend its product range to compete with larger helicopters manufactured by Bell Helicopter and Eurocopter. Most of the R66 design is based on the earlier piston-engine R44.
Robinson started taking orders for the R66 in February, 2010. It went into preliminary production in 2010, and full production in 2011. The existing two-seat R22 and four-seat R44 continued in production.[4] A four-seat police version of the R66 has entered production with a forward looking infrared (FLIR) camera system, searchlight, and external public address (PA) system as standard equipment.[5]
In 2012, Robinson delivered 191 R66s while Robinson's competitors in the light single turbine sector delivered only 40 units between them. About 70 percent of the R66 production is exported.[6] In 2014, the production rate slowed to about two R66s per week[7] for a total of 101 for the year.[8] In 2015, Robinson produced three R66s per week. RHC has contracted with Rolls-Royce to supply 100 RR300 turbines per year for 10 years.[9]
Russia certified the R66 in March 2013,[10] while Canada certified it in June 2013.[11] European EASA and Chinese CAAC certifications were granted in the second quarter of 2014.[12][13][14]
The R66 Turbine Marine with pop-out floats was FAA certified in November 2014. A journalist pilot described ground landing with them as "better than the standard R66". Retrofit floats are not available for the standard R66.[15]
A cargo hook was approved in the EU and the United States in 2015.[16]
In December 2015 Robinson announced it had sold 700 R66s.[17]
On July 13, 2017, Robinson announced certification of the R66 Turbine Newscopter (R66 ENG).[18]
On 25 January 2017 Robinson announced that it had delivered its 12,000th aircraft, an R66 to a charter and tour operator, Fly Karoo Air Services.[19]
On 17 July 2017, Robinson introduced the TB17 lithium-ion phosphate battery as optional equipment. The battery weighs 16 lb (7.3 kg), which is lighter than the previous 42 lb (19 kg) standard and 52 lb (24 kg) high capacity batteries.[20]
The company delivered the 1,000th R66 in August 2020.[2]
In the 2020s the company released a redesigned tail empennage and it was approved by the FAA.[21][22]
Design
R66 Turbine production modelRobinson R44 (left) and R66 (right)
The R66 is a single-engined helicopter with two-bladed main and tail rotors, and a fixed skid landing gear. The R66 is constructed from advanced composites, aluminum alloy (sheet), and chromoly steel. Like the R44, the R66 has both electromechanical instruments and optional digital glass cockpit.[23]
The R66 is the first Robinson helicopter with a cargo hold; the hold carries up to 300 pounds (140 kg).[24]
The RR300 engine is more compact and lighter than the Lycoming O-540 six-cylinder piston engine that powers the R44—the R66 has a lower empty weight than the R44.[24] The RR300 has a simplified single-stage centrifugal compressor which makes it less expensive and is expected to result in lower maintenance costs.[25]
The turbine burns Jet-A fuel at a rate of 23 US gallons (87 L) per hour, compared to 15 US gallons (57 L) of avgas per hour for the O-540.[24]
At Heli Expo 2018, Robinson introduced a cargo hook as an optional equipment. This modification increases the aircraft's maximum gross weight from 2,700 to 2,900 lb (1,200 to 1,300 kg).[26] It is currently available in two variants.
Robinson redesigned the tail in the 2020s to a symmetrical horizontal stabilizer, to hopefully reduce the danger of mast bumping accidents, such as during low-G conditions maneuvers. This type of maneuver is more dangerous in a two bladed helicopter, and is warned against, however, rare but tragic accidents have lead to further investigation and improvements, due to the typically catastrophic nature of such incidents.[21] The FAA approved the new empennage, which should improve roll stability when the helicopter is in flight at high speed.[22]
Ground Handling
Robinson Helicopter Tow Cart Connected to R66
R66’s are equipped with wheel mounts toward the rear of the skids, one on each side, for attachment of removable wheels. The wheels must be removed prior to flight. These brackets are slightly behind the helicopter center of gravity so when the wheels are installed, the helicopter sits nose low. The wheel assembly has a pivot pin which is inserted into the skid-mounted bracket and then rotated over center to lift the rear of the skids about 2 inches leaving the front of the skids on the ground. The helicopter can be moved by pulling down on the tail to lift the front of the skids off the ground. Because of the size and weight of the R66 and the height of the tail from the ground, as compared to the R22, it is extremely difficult if not impossible for a single person to move the helicopter this way. Another person can help by pushing on the rear of the engine compartment.
R66’s with fixed floats or deployed pop-out emergency floats must have wheels installed under the skids as the bracket is not accessible.
All models and years of the R66 include a ¾” diameter tow ball mounted on the bottom of the fuselage, near the front and offset slightly to the left. A tow cart or tug can be engaged with the ball and then used to lift the front of the helicopter to clear the skids from the ground after the wheels are installed and rotated to lift the rear of the skids. This makes it possible for a single person to move the helicopter, even over significant distances or not-level surfaces.
Tow carts are available with a variety of features. There exist manual versions which place the ball mating device behind the wheels so the operator engages the ball then pushes down on the handle to lift the nose. Others provide a repurposed car-style hydraulic jack or an electric jack to lift the nose.
Tow carts are available with no motive power, a gas engine or one or two electric motors operated from one or two batteries. Some of the non-powered tow carts are set up to be towed such as behind a golf cart or quad cycle. One manufacturer offered a modified pallet jack.
The other option for ground handling is a landing platform which is large enough for the helicopter to safely land on, has wheels underneath and can be towed between the hanger and take-off location. These are heavy and must be towed with a vehicle. Platforms are commonly used with R66’s.
Operators
R66 in 2013 in the United KingdomR66 parked in a field, 2011Robinson R66 flying in the French Alps, 2015Tail view of an R66, 2011
The aircraft is operated by law enforcement, companies and private individuals.
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