hands_on123

How long will Frank give it before he gives up on the R66? (if it just doesn't sell?)

bolkow

shorten the mast? I'vwe heard they are cutting off enough tails already when the main rotor is offloaded, would'nt that make the problem worse?

3top

Hi all,

.....did any one of you that seem to have a total aversion to Robinson actually FLY one - not just in flight school, but in commercial life after??

Cheers,

thjakits

eivissa

Yes I do fly it commercially and the R44 is actually cheap to run, reliable (except for the aux fuel pump on the Raven II, that seems to be sorted now), powerful and nice to fly.

Its also plain ugly and every time I jump in it after flying the AS355 I dont feel like sitting in a real helicopter.

The upsides outweigh the downsides though.

This Robinson discussion will never end. Someone is allways saying its a toy and the other one arguing that it is very cost effective and reliable.

I for my part dont like the R22 and dont see a market for the R66 with so many cheap B206 available.

206Fan

There is quite a few 66s for sale also!

ROBINSON Turbine Helicopters, Used ROBINSON Turbine Helicopters, ROBINSON Turbine Helicopters For Sale At Controller.com - Page 1

Palma

How long will Frank give it before he gives up on the R66? (if it just doesn't sell?)


Currently, the next available delivery for a new R66 is January 2013.

I trust this answers your question....

hands_on123

I am surprised there are so many used R66S for sale already. They are awfully expensive though, and it does seem like a used 206 will be a better bet in the long run, as you don't have to throw it away after 12 years.

This could mean demand is high, or they are making them very slowly!

Torque and temp

Does anybody have any news on the EASA certification? Have they run into problems with the crash worthiness or are they stuck in bureaucracy?

Lewycasino

Heard that EASA won't certify because it only has single hydraulics, they want dual and Robinson won't comply.

eivissa

Heard the same about the dual hydraulics from an operator in germany who is still waiting for his ship to be delivered.

I bet it flys hydraulic offs just as nicely as the r44 and doesn't need the second system at all.

Arrrj

Yep, you are correct. The 66 flies fine with no hydraulics, just like a 44.

MartinCh

EASA CS 27.695 a and b Certification Specifications for Small Rotorcraft only talk about either 'alternative means' and the need to have control in case of engine or component failure, or at least be manually operable.

So why all the BS about the single hydraulic system? I doubt having one extra place in the chopper as per FAA certification/POH is makes it different. Also, I don't see any differentiation between small helicopter with turbine and small helicopter with piston engine.


Edit: Took me few mins to find it. Those who fancy reading it. It's buried in the EASA website. CS-27

wigglyamp

EASA and Transport Canada have delayed certifcation of the R66 due to concerns about the hydraulic system according to this week's Flight International.

MartinCh

HELI-EXPO: Hydraulics concerns hold up R66 certification
You're kidding me??

As posted in R66 thread, the said valve design is taken from R44 AFAIK and the heli is controllable manually, as CS specs require. There must be more to the story. It'd be good if solved by the summer. I guess I can just dream on.

OAX

Hey guys I just took delivery of my new R66 wow is all I can say
I have had a R44 ii for 2-5 yrs great thing but u do get sick of sitting on a milk crate for hours
Last week end I flew the 66 Sydney to gold coast and back smooth cumfortable and roomy sat on 125-135 kts. Airspeed and smooth as. Used 80 ltr hr up and 81 lt hr home yea more than the 44 but going 20 per cent quicker And did I say more comfortable
2000 ft OGE hover 5 people 3/4 fuel no worries and flies same full or empty
Also I now have my nov 2009 R44 470 hrs for sale with factory bladders and everything else u would need for sale cheap as I don't need two helis
I also have another 66 coming this Xmas that I now don't need but that is another story
Yes I think the 120 is a better looking Heli but doesn't perform full like this
Cheers all

as350nut

Anyone know if the R66 has a barrier filter option for the engine, or if one is planned. I see the intake is at the bottom of the mast, from operating R44 I know this is a place where dust settles. When are engine manufacturers going to put filters on from new, its seems like a bad joke. Make an incredibly expensive air guzzling fine tolerance, engine but don't give it any protection.

Matari

R66 is equipped with inlet air filter as standard equipment.

http://robinsonhelicopter.com/price_..._pricelist.pdf

as350nut

Well thanks for that I should have checked it out first Have to give Frank credit when its due, certainly makes another tick for the 66 I just paid 27,500 to put an FDC in my AS350

helofixer

Be advised the inlet filter is a thin foam type filter, that slips over a cone shaped frame. Its not anything like an FDC Aerofilter or any of the other filter system. its a throw away....think you change it 100 or 200 hour intervals.

Amatsu

For my fellow geeks out there, The following is a statement on the R66 TCDS which is free for all at FAA: Home :

"Exemption No. 9589, dated January 28, 2008, to § 27.695. This exemption was granted to permit a powered flight control system without considering the
jamming of a control valve as a possible single failure."

This is the reason for the lack of EASA certification.

Another statement that is of interest to everyone bolting GPS's into their aircraft without an approved mod... as happened behind my back as I walked away from the aircraft I had just certified the build of:

"NOTE 6. Determination for compliance with 27.562(c)(5), Head Impact Criteria (HIC) must be performed for any equipment installed in the cockpit or passenger cabin."