Robinson Helicopter Company has reached the milestone completion of its 100th R66 Turbine.
The California-based manufacturer rolled the 100th R66 (serial number 0100) of its production line on December 23, 2011 – a mere one year and two months after the R66 Turbine received FAA certification.
The five-place R66 is Robinson’s largest and most powerful helicopter.
“The idea, conceived more than a decade ago, was to produce a reasonably priced, low maintenance, high performance turbine helicopter that would fill the emerging void in the turbine helicopter market,” Robinson said in a press release.
Global response to the R66 has been very strong, surpassing Robinson’s initial expectations. To date, the company has received over 380 R66 orders; more than 70 per cent of which are from outside the US. Foreign sales have consistently accounted for more than 60 per cent of the company’s overall aircraft sales.
R66 S/N 0100 was delivered to National Airways Corp. (NAC), Robinson’s long-time dealer in South Africa.
As the R66 market matures, Robinson will develop new options for the aircraft, including a police version, a float version and an external cargo hook.
The 100th Robinson R66 Turbine. (RHC)
(RHC)
