Robinson R66 (merged threads)
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 163
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From: Here, There and Everywhere!!
Its surprising how easy it is nowadys to place the sound of a turbine spooling up onto a video!!
Pity the shot is of the 44! Being at Robinson a few weeks ago, a prototype is a long way off from being built, never mind being placed out to be viewed by the fence!
Good editing though!
Pity the shot is of the 44! Being at Robinson a few weeks ago, a prototype is a long way off from being built, never mind being placed out to be viewed by the fence!
Good editing though!
Optical illusion because of the angle?
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 38
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From: west of the east and a bit south too.
Pictures of the R-66 airframe...they're out!
Author: Anonymous Date: 3/4/2007 10:01:18 PM 
Last edited by mountjoy; 5th March 2007 at 19:43. Reason: It must be real its in colour !!
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 803
Likes: 52
From: Pensacola, Florida
A free turbine can be confusing if you hear it start up. The first and most obvious noise comes from the compressor/gas generator section. But as the Power Turbine comes up to speed it can sound like that "second engine" starting. Listen closely next time someone starts a 206 in your general direction. You'll go, "How many engines are IN that thing??"
As for the fuselage, it would not surprise me at all if Frank installed the RR-300 in a modified R-44 airframe. That's just how things are done. The wider cabin will come later, once the powerplant installation is worked out. The "Goat" in the pictures and videos is likely just a test mule.
Frank will have an interesting time pushing this thing through certification. It'll be easy (uhh, "easiER") if he adds it to the R-44 Type Certificate. But if he goes for a separate "R-66" TC, all bets are off as far as certification dates. Either way, the taller mast and wider cabin will probably require the whole test flight regime to be done and documented again. The FAA is hardly any *less* conservative than they used to be. And, given Robinson's reputation, the FAA will probably be extra-cautious with them.
They've undoubtedly already been flying the mule - either with a C20B or maybe even an old C-18 just to see how it would perform and get some "rough" fuel calcs. Certainly, there have been rumors for over a year that people have been hearing the sound of a turbine coming from the Robinson plant. So they didn't just start on this yesterday. Disguised as a regular old R-44, it easily could have been trucked to a remote location for testing.
Let's give Frank some credit. This isn't going to be some half-arsed, cobbed together abortion. If and when Frank brings it to market, it will give the 206 a serious run for the money - not to mention putting that Enstrom 480 and Schweizer 333 right out of the game for good.
As for the fuselage, it would not surprise me at all if Frank installed the RR-300 in a modified R-44 airframe. That's just how things are done. The wider cabin will come later, once the powerplant installation is worked out. The "Goat" in the pictures and videos is likely just a test mule.
Frank will have an interesting time pushing this thing through certification. It'll be easy (uhh, "easiER") if he adds it to the R-44 Type Certificate. But if he goes for a separate "R-66" TC, all bets are off as far as certification dates. Either way, the taller mast and wider cabin will probably require the whole test flight regime to be done and documented again. The FAA is hardly any *less* conservative than they used to be. And, given Robinson's reputation, the FAA will probably be extra-cautious with them.
They've undoubtedly already been flying the mule - either with a C20B or maybe even an old C-18 just to see how it would perform and get some "rough" fuel calcs. Certainly, there have been rumors for over a year that people have been hearing the sound of a turbine coming from the Robinson plant. So they didn't just start on this yesterday. Disguised as a regular old R-44, it easily could have been trucked to a remote location for testing.
Let's give Frank some credit. This isn't going to be some half-arsed, cobbed together abortion. If and when Frank brings it to market, it will give the 206 a serious run for the money - not to mention putting that Enstrom 480 and Schweizer 333 right out of the game for good.
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: UK
AND THE ANSWER IS?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JS0wSElkoZg
An old bit of you tube footage with a piston, with a 355 soundtrack....
I have far too much time on my hands, off to do something more interesting now I have proved that one.
Does it really matter? The minute Frank launches the new beasty it will be pounced upon and ripped apart by this forum anyway.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JS0wSElkoZg
An old bit of you tube footage with a piston, with a 355 soundtrack....
I have far too much time on my hands, off to do something more interesting now I have proved that one.
Does it really matter? The minute Frank launches the new beasty it will be pounced upon and ripped apart by this forum anyway.
Avoid imitations
Joined: Nov 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 15,110
Likes: 1,083
From: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
Sounds more like a cross between a Daf 55 variomatic and a spindrier full of teaspoons!
I know you've driven both, Whirls
I know you've driven both, Whirls
Hovering AND talking
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,711
Likes: 1
From: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
No ShyT, I never driven a spindrier full of teaspoons but, hey, you know, when your dishwasher breaks down, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do! And it seemed like a good idea at the time!
Cheers
Whirls
Cheers
Whirls
Last edited by Whirlygig; 6th March 2007 at 23:11. Reason: To correct a typo which I think Captain Spellcheck below had missed! Oh Bolleax! He hadn't
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 240
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From: UK
My mum had a daf 55 variomatic, and as a tender youth I was horribly embarrassed to be seen in it...
It was a particularly cr*ppy car and the rubber bands kept breaking.
At least Frank's rubber bands generally stay where they are... do you think he will retain belt drive in the 66?
BW
It was a particularly cr*ppy car and the rubber bands kept breaking.
At least Frank's rubber bands generally stay where they are... do you think he will retain belt drive in the 66?
BW
Joined: Jul 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL(H)
Posts: 3,052
Likes: 56
From: UK
Joined: Jul 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL(H)
Posts: 3,052
Likes: 56
From: UK
Is this an actual shot of the R66?
(Sorry for the pic size)
http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinqu...&cmndfind.y=16
(Sorry for the pic size)
http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinqu...&cmndfind.y=16
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
From: USA
Whirls, funny you should mention the DAF in connection with the R66 turbine, because in an alternate universe populated by the Dutch there exists this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUW5F05D7ZM
By the way, having the variomatic means it'll go just as fast in reverse.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUW5F05D7ZM
By the way, having the variomatic means it'll go just as fast in reverse.