Inside The $1,000,000 Robinson R66 Helicopter
This is the Robinson R66, the lighter, simpler, less expensive turbine helicopter that has made such an indelible mark on the global helicopter industry that it has created a whole new niche. How do you one-up the world’s best-selling helicopter, the Robinson R44? Simple. You put a turbine in it. But wait! It wasn’t that easy.
Talk of a “Robinson turbine” began swirling around the helicopter community clear back in 2001, but Robinson wasn’t happy with the engine choices available to power the design. Everything he looked at was too heavy and too expensive. Over the years, Robinson investigated many power-plant options, including diesels, but the diesel options were all too heavy and didn’t offer enough advantages over the small turbines available.
So, Robinson went to Rolls-Royce, asking it to design a “lighter, simpler, less expensive” turbine to power a slightly scaled-up R44. The result was the RR300, a new design that has powered stalwarts such as the JetRanger, the MD-500, and others for decades. This new engine made possible a remarkable new helicopter: the Robinson R66 Turbine.
The base purchase price for a new Robinson R66 is $879,000 before options, and the price for a pre-owned model ranges between $500,000 and $1,000,000, and the charter price is estimated at $1,000 to $1,500 per hour.
While the annual fixed cost for a Robinson R66 is estimated at $100,000 to $200,000, the average hourly operating cost is estimated at $400 to $700.
Here is everything you need to know about the Robinson R66.
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - Intro
1:24 - Cabin
3:08 - Cockpit
6:19 - Performance
7:52 - Prices
8:29 - Outro
ABOUT US
Aviation Base is your favorite source for your daily dose of aviation videos: private jet reviews, as well as private jet interior, both cabin, and cockpit, along with turboprops, commercial planes, and helicopters. We also make videos about private jet charter, private jet price, and private jet cost. Subscribe so you don't miss any videos from us!