The Robinson R66 is an American six-seat light utility helicopter that was first introduced in 1977. It is a single engine, piston powered aircraft with a two bladed main rotor and tail rotor.
The current version of the R66 has been updated to include newer avionics equipment, which includes an autopilot system. A new electrical system including modernized wiring and circuit breakers have also been installed along with improved hydraulic systems for better reliability.
With these improvements, the Robinson R66 now offers more stable flight characteristics and increased payload capacity than previous models. This makes it popular among pilots who are looking for a reliable machine that can be used for various purposes such as aerial work or training exercises.
The aircraft was first produced in 1981 and since then has been used for various applications such as aerial photography, law enforcement, search and rescue, and air taxi service.
Because of its popularity among pilots and operators alike, it’s considered one of the most successful helicopters ever made.
The Robinson R66 has many uses but most notably it serves as an excellent training aircraft for pilots transitioning to turbine helicopters or for those wanting to learn how to fly helicopters at all. This makes it ideal for flight schools because of its cost efficiency and ease of use when compared to other more expensive models like the Bell 407 that take longer to become proficient on due time wise.
The Robinson R66 is available with either an open or closed cockpit configuration, which features a bubble canopy.
It measures 47 feet long with a rotor diameter of 49 ft 3 inches, which makes it highly maneuverable at low speeds while still being capable to lift up to 627 lbs (in addition to the weight of the pilot).
The R66 is powered by one Allison 250-C18A engine, which produces 266 horsepower.
