Robinson R66 (merged threads)
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: England & Scotland
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Any idea when the R66 gets certified for use in UK?
Is there a float package for AOC work over water (eg London helilanes)?
Is there a lighting kit for night VFR?
Can't find these things on the Robinson website
Is there a float package for AOC work over water (eg London helilanes)?
Is there a lighting kit for night VFR?
Can't find these things on the Robinson website
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Latest speculation appears to be that it will get EASA certification in September John. Are you toying with idea to replace Ec120 (sorry to see that by the way!)?
EASA certification of R66 now expected September 2011 | Helihub - the Helicopter Industry Data Source
EASA certification of R66 now expected September 2011 | Helihub - the Helicopter Industry Data Source
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Looking at all the options.
2 yr old low-hrs EC120 about £1m pre haggling
Not keen on taking one of the many 2000 - 2001 machines (12 yr airframe and 15 yr engine overhauls coming up). I'd rather spend that extra now for a younger machine
R66 is a possibility
So is a used AS350 - but can I get a nice one? (1.8m for a new B2 is more than I want to pay).
Not sure I would go to a 206 - possible the L4 if I could get the right price
Still not had "official" word that mine is a W/O but I don't hold out much hope that it will be repaired. The hull value pay-out and sell what's left (and there is a lot of expensive, undamaged bits to sell!) will I suspect cost the insurance company less.
Flew the 66 at Redhill during the roadshow - nice chap let me fly the circuit. Handled just like a 44 but with more power.
I prefer the space and cabin layout of the EC120, and I am actually impressed by its crashworthyness. R66 has price going for it, and more power surplus. However, it gets that surplus mostly (as I see it) from being less substantial in build. Does that trade crashworthyness?
Anyway - can't do anything until the insurance position is settled so just looking at options.
2 yr old low-hrs EC120 about £1m pre haggling
Not keen on taking one of the many 2000 - 2001 machines (12 yr airframe and 15 yr engine overhauls coming up). I'd rather spend that extra now for a younger machine
R66 is a possibility
So is a used AS350 - but can I get a nice one? (1.8m for a new B2 is more than I want to pay).
Not sure I would go to a 206 - possible the L4 if I could get the right price
Still not had "official" word that mine is a W/O but I don't hold out much hope that it will be repaired. The hull value pay-out and sell what's left (and there is a lot of expensive, undamaged bits to sell!) will I suspect cost the insurance company less.
Flew the 66 at Redhill during the roadshow - nice chap let me fly the circuit. Handled just like a 44 but with more power.
I prefer the space and cabin layout of the EC120, and I am actually impressed by its crashworthyness. R66 has price going for it, and more power surplus. However, it gets that surplus mostly (as I see it) from being less substantial in build. Does that trade crashworthyness?
Anyway - can't do anything until the insurance position is settled so just looking at options.
Last edited by John R81; 10th Jun 2011 at 11:28. Reason: edited to add reason for editing - thought of the 206L4 overnight
Join Date: Apr 2002
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SFH - £600ph
"Flown it / power is great / speed good / cost to run is awesome - potentially cheaper than an R44 !"
I was at a recent demo of the R66 a few weeks ago and they were saying that the sfh cost would be in the region of £600ph - ouch.
So this low cost turbine will be more expensive than a Jet Ranger and about the same price as a EC120 to hire?
I was at a recent demo of the R66 a few weeks ago and they were saying that the sfh cost would be in the region of £600ph - ouch.
So this low cost turbine will be more expensive than a Jet Ranger and about the same price as a EC120 to hire?
it tells me that there are only a few of them out there so far, and every man and his dog want to fly them. If I had one, I'd charge you an arm and a leg to fly it, too.
From a helicopter veteran of all things that have tried in vain to kill me...... Its plain nasty 
Even the Hiller 12E I used to beat crops to death with was more boootiful..
Even the Hiller 12E I used to beat crops to death with was more boootiful..
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I reckon lelebebbel has it in one: "it tells me that there are only a few of them out there so far, and every man and his dog want to fly them" Supply and demand rules in the marketplace.
On the other hand, it's not clear if Griffo's "Its plain nasty" is experience or just prejudice. Personally I wouldn't get into a Hiller for all the tea in China, but that doesn't make it a nasty machine.
Whether you like the looks and the cyclic are personal preferences, but I've been flying the R66 for a few months now, and the most annoying practical thing about it is that the tail-boom absolutely has to be cleaned at the end of every flying day to keep it looking good. And if that's the worst that can be said, I'm pretty bloody happy.
Departed the control zone this morning with full fuel and just me on board, on the way to pick up a customer. 80% and 130 kts on the dial, and sooo smooth. Go Frank
On the other hand, it's not clear if Griffo's "Its plain nasty" is experience or just prejudice. Personally I wouldn't get into a Hiller for all the tea in China, but that doesn't make it a nasty machine.
Whether you like the looks and the cyclic are personal preferences, but I've been flying the R66 for a few months now, and the most annoying practical thing about it is that the tail-boom absolutely has to be cleaned at the end of every flying day to keep it looking good. And if that's the worst that can be said, I'm pretty bloody happy.
Departed the control zone this morning with full fuel and just me on board, on the way to pick up a customer. 80% and 130 kts on the dial, and sooo smooth. Go Frank
Last edited by Unhinged; 18th Jun 2011 at 20:01. Reason: clarify the reason for cleaning the tail-boom
tail-boom absolutely has to be cleaned at the end of every flying day
Join Date: Jul 2002
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From an economic point of view I wouldn't touch one-downunder a new R66 is around $1.1-1.2 million, Take it home and over the next few years watch the value of that aircraft decline monthly and considerably as it approachs the 12 yr life overhaul-and as you put time on it and assuming you don't run it out of hrs sooner in 10-12 yrs it would not be worth $300,000.
Take half of the current asking price of an R66-say- $600,000 go to the USA and buy a nice mid 80's Jetranger 3, and you know what you have got?-,one of the best helicopters ever built and in 12 yrs it will be worth a bunch more money-a JR will appreciate in value. They are proven-reliable and solid the world over, and it won't corrode away like these 44's are with their ****ty paint and corrosion proofing.
Take half of the current asking price of an R66-say- $600,000 go to the USA and buy a nice mid 80's Jetranger 3, and you know what you have got?-,one of the best helicopters ever built and in 12 yrs it will be worth a bunch more money-a JR will appreciate in value. They are proven-reliable and solid the world over, and it won't corrode away like these 44's are with their ****ty paint and corrosion proofing.
Last edited by Granny; 2nd Dec 2011 at 00:41.
blade delaminations 
corrosion 
post crash fires 
TBO's not reached 
paper mache airframe 
soaring costs 
worst safety record 
Robbies will go down in history as the most unsafe & suspect machine ever built
Join Date: Nov 2011
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So cynical. I've been flying and maintaining Robinson Helicopters for over 15 years and the only serious problems I've encountered have all been induced by the seat-to-stick interface. They just need loving, cherishing and nurturing through to their next wallet ripping re-build life. Having seen, but not yet flown, an R66 I'm sure these wont be any different. Just a lot more costly when the jockey stuffs the start up.
That said, I'd rather have a 206 strapped to my pants any day!!!!
That said, I'd rather have a 206 strapped to my pants any day!!!!
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Take that $600k and get yourself a nice mid-80s Jet Ranger with 10,000 hrs on it...? Or how about a 5 year old Enstrom 480B with less than 500 hours on it? The Enstrom brand is the best kept secret (worst marketing, least understood) in the light helo market!
Enstrom's Turbine 480B - Better than an R66?
Enstrom's Turbine 480B - Better than an R66?
The Enstrom may be nicer than the other two in many ways - but crucially it just lacks the practicality and versatility of either of the others.
The storage is no way near as big, and flying it with 5 POB? Maybe a short hop for pilot and 4 midgets.
The storage is no way near as big, and flying it with 5 POB? Maybe a short hop for pilot and 4 midgets.
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Go to www.controller.com there are quite a few Jetrangers for instance-
1996 Jetranger 3 with 984 hrs TT-US $670.000
That would be more bang for your buck than a R66
1996 Jetranger 3 with 984 hrs TT-US $670.000
That would be more bang for your buck than a R66