May 2010 covers_Covers.qxd - World Airnews

SIXTY-SIX, CLICKITY, CLICK,
the “Robbie” goes turbine....
FIRST IT was the Robinson R22, the
light piston-powered helicopter
which took the rotor-winged industry
by storm and set Frank Robinson and
his team firmly on their feet.
Building on the outstanding success of
the R22, Robinson Helicopters then
developed yet another highly successful
machine, the R44, larger and more
powerful than its “kid sister” and able to
carry more passengers.
The helicopter industry was forced to
hold its breath for several years, though,
waiting for Robinson to “go turbine”, but
the company was not in a hurry and
although rumours were plentiful at
successive Heli-Expo exhibitions in the
United States year after year, it was not
until recently that Robinson finally
decided now was the time to switch from
piston to turbine power.
The result is the Robinson R66 which incorporates
many of the design features of
the R44, including the two-bladed rotor
system (main and tail), T-bar cyclic and an
open interior cabin configuration.
Now powered by the Rolls-Royce RR-
330 turboshaft engine which was specifically
designed for the R66, it is not
surprising that notable differences between
the R66 and R44 are the R66’s in-
creased reserve power, improved altitude
performance, fifth seat, and larger baggage
compartment.
Popular upgrades include HID landing
lights and such creature comforts as
leather seats and a stereo audio control
panel which are standard on the type. Also
standard are a “seven hole” panel for engine
and flight instrumentation with an optional
pilot’s avionics console to the right.
The new helicopter is currently undergoing
is flight test programme leading to
FAA certification, but no date for this has
yet been announced.
Tipping the scales at a gross weight of
1 225 kg, it has an empty weight (including
oil and standard avionics) of 581 kg. Its
maximum fuel load is just over 278 litres
or 224 kg leaving 420 kg for passengers
and baggage with full tanks.
Its cruise speed is a sprightly 120 knots
and the R66 has a maximum range of
about 325 nautical miles without reserves.
Capable of hovering in ground effect
up to 10 000 feet and with a hover
ceiling out of ground effect above that
level, the R66 has a maximum operating
altitude of 14 000 feet with a rate of climb
at sea level of over 1 000 feet per minute.
From the tip of its nose to the end of its
tail rotor protection skid, it measures a
fraction under nine metres and it has a
main rotor diameter of 5,08 metres with
a tail rotor diameter of 1,52 metres. From
the bottom of its skids to the top of its
rotor head, it measures 3,47 metres.
The fuselage has a maximum outside
width of 1,47 metres and its skids spread
over 2,28 metres.
The R66 made its debut at the recent
Heli-Expo 2010 (see World Airnews, April
2010) and with a price tag of US$770 000,
it is not surprising that orders are flowing
in at “a rate of knots”.
Robinson has sold more helicopters
than all the other manufacturers combined
and this new model is likely to help
him keep that record. Q
WORLD AIRNEWS, MAY 2010. 17