22 March 2022
Sales of Robinson Helicopter’s turbine R66 have outstripped those of the piston-engined R44, said Robinson President Kurt Robinson at the annual HAI Heli-Expo event earlier this month.
The company produced 244 aircraft in 2021 compared to 177 in 2020 and the upward trajectory is expected to continue.
“I’m targeting 300-350 for 2022 but we’ll see how it goes, as we are still dealing with residual effects from Covid,” said Robinson, noting the company has a backlog of over 300 aircraft orders.
“The R66 has found its niche,” said Kurt. “Operators are realising the vast potential of this aircraft.”
Kurt Robinson, president of Robinson Helicopter, talking at Heli-Expo. Top: Polk County police like their R66 so much, they’ve ordered two more. Images: Robinson Helicopter
More than 1,100 R66s have been delivered and more than 1.5 million hours logged making the R66 the top-selling light turbine helicopter, according to GAMA’s 2021 Year-End Aircraft Shipment Report.
And the R66 orders keep coming in… Florida’s Polk County Sheriff’s Office has ordered two more R66 Police Specials less than a year after the department took delivery of its first R66 Police helicopter.
“We are adding a second and third R66 because of our confidence in the helicopter’s ability and functionality,” said Sheriff Grady Judd. “It’s a great aircraft that has reduced our operating costs by nearly fifty percent.”
In a separate announcement, Robinson R22 and R44 helicopters are now equipped with Lycoming’s Electronic Ignition System (EIS) which is said to improve starting, increase reliability and reduce maintenance.
