Robinson R66
March 6, 2011 - 10:10am
Uniflight (Booth No. 2654) is developing a supplemental type certificate (STC) to install the 475-shp Rolls-Royce RR500 in the Bell 206. The $599,000 (2011 dollars, less engine core credit) STC includes the RR500 engine, new engine cowling and exhaust, Donaldson inlet-barrier filter and diffuser-vent filter and a Sagem eight-inch multifunction display for engine instruments.
January 29, 2011 - 7:00am
Last year Robinson Helicopter manufactured 162 helicopters, down from a peak annual production of 893 just two years earlier. It was the lowest annual production rate for Robinson since 1987. This year the company anticipates it will make 300 helicopters. The total includes an estimated three-per-month production of the newly certified R66 turbine single.
November 30, 2010 - 6:42am
On October 25, Robinson Helicopter entered a new phase as a manufacturer of turbine-powered rotorcraft when the FAA handed over the new R66’s type certificate to founder Frank Robinson and his son and company president Kurt.
October 26, 2010 - 12:51pm
Robinson’s long-awaited R66 turbine single was scheduled to receive FAA type certification on October 25. The price has increased to $790,000 and the company says it has firm orders for approximately 100 of the helicopters.
October 26, 2010 - 12:04pm
The FAA handed over two certification documents to Robinson Helicopter founder Frank Robinson and his son and company president Kurt yesterday at a ceremony at the helicopter manufacturer’s Torrance, Calif. factory.
September 21, 2010 - 10:11am
Frank Robinson feigned insult when asked about his possible retirement at a 2009 press conference.
“Why?” Robinson shot back with a grin when asked about it. “You know what [the late comedian] Jack Benny said when they asked him what he was going to do with all that money when he died? He said, ‘If I can’t take it with me I won’t go.’ He didn’t need [a retirement] and I think I don’t either.”
September 21, 2010 - 9:32am
FAA certification of the Rolls-Royce RR300-powered Robinson R66 turbine light single could come later this month.
August 17, 2010 - 12:04pm
Frank Robinson, 80, has retired from the iconic helicopter company he founded in 1973, just weeks before the company expects to receive certification of its R66 turbine single. The company announced on Friday that Robinson’s son Kurt, 53, currently a Robinson vice president, would take the titles of president and chairman. Kurt Robinson has been with the company since 1987 and holds an MBA, a law degree and a commercial helicopter rating.
