Robinson R-66 Private Jet Charter

Robinson R-66 Private Charter Flights and Prices

The Robinson R66 Turbine is a light, five-seat, single-engine helicopter produced by Robinson Helicopter Company, based in Torrance, California. Robinson's first turbine helicopter, the R66 is fitted with a single Rolls Royce RR300 turboshaft engine instead of Lycoming piston engines used on the R22 and R44 series helicopters. The R66 shares many design elements with its predecessor, the R44, including a two bladed rotor system, T-bar cyclic and an open cabin configuration, but it also incorporates many new features, such as increased reserve power, increased altitude performance, fifth seat and large baggage compartment. The R66’ popular upgrades include HID landing lights, energy absorbing leather seats, a stereo audio control panel, a new bladder fuel system. The R66 is well suited for private, business, and utility applications and featuring a simple, efficient, high-performance, and quiet comfort for its passengers.

The average hourly rental rate of the Robinson R-66 is around 1,100 USD per hour.

The average purchase price of a new Robinson R-66 is 940,000 USD.

The average purchase price of a pre-owned Robinson R-66 is 762,000 USD.

Performance Specifications

More about the Robinson R-66

The Robinson R66 is a single-engined, turbine-powered helicopter designed by Robinson Helicopter Company. The model is intended to diversify its portfolio in order to compete with large competing manufacturers like Bell and Eurocopter. Announced in 2007 and taking its first flight in 2008, the R66 was certified in 2010. The R66 fills a niche in the rotorcraft market that Robinson's two-seat R22, and four-seat, piston-engine R44 were not able to accomplish. Although production on those two aircraft resumes normally, the R66 represents Robinson's competitive drive in the marketplace. Although the R66's development and design process was heavily influenced by the older R44, it features many new aspects that were previously untouched by the older model. The R66 introduces a 300 pound cargo hold, which did not exist in Robinson's previous entries. The model is constructed with modern composites, chromoly steel, and aluminum alloy. Differing from the glass cockpit that has become more mainstream, the R66 utilizes electromechanical instruments much like the R44.

Key Features of the Robinson R-66

One of the main selling points of the R66 is the use of its Rolls-Royce RR300 engines, which feature a simplified single-stage centrifugal compressor and as a result, the R66 has relatively low maintenance costs. The RR300 is lighter and smaller than the R44's Lycoming 0-540 six cylinder piston engine and also has cheaper acquisition costs. The R66 does share some similarities with the R44, most notably its two-bladed main rotor system, open interior cabin, and T-bar cyclic. However, its differences are very pronounced as well. The R66 has improved altitude performance over the R44, increased reserve power, a fifth seat, and the previously mentioned large cargo compartment. The R66 also features leather seats, an audio control panel, and HID landing lights. Altogether, the Robinson R66 can handle significantly more than the R44 and is a giant leap for RHC in terms of having dominant entries in the rotorcraft market to compete with other notable manufacturers. Its performance, economy, and innovations put it right up to pace with the industry's giants.

Capabilities of the Robinson R-66

Although many consider the JetRanger to be a dominant force in the category, the Robinson R66 can outperform Bell's entry in many significant areas. While the two models have comparable useful loads, the R66 is more economical by a large margin. The R66 can also fly faster and higher than the JetRanger, making it a very attractive option in the Light Single Helicopter category. These developments have been a surprising change of pace in a niche that has been so consistently dominated by Bell's JetRanger and Eurocopter's EC120. In 2008, Bell announced that it would be discontinuing the JetRanger model, leaving even more room for growth for the R66. The model is also quite flexible, able to handle most corporate and civil utility missions due to its increased cabin size, range, speed, and economy. As of 2011, the R66 is in full production with over a hundred orders pending. In short, the popularity and strength of the R66 has all but guaranteed Robinson's presence in the future of the helicopter industry.