Local Robinson distributor Heliflite has released the first official photos of the first R66 turbine helicopter for an Australian customer, taken during the final production stage at Robinson’s Torrance, California factory.
The base yellow with slate grey trim coloured R66 (serial number 011) will be shipped to Australia as Robinson’s first international export of the type, and used by Heliflite as a demonstrator at its Sydney base from February.
Incorporating the same two-bladed rotor system, T-bar cyclic and open interior cabin configuration of its predecessor, the R44, the R66 also features increased reserve power, increased altitude performance, a fifth seat and a large baggage compartment. Upgrades such as HID landing lights, leather seats, and a stereo audio control panel are standard in the R66.
The R66 comes 17 years after Heliflite introduced the first Robinson R44 variant to Australia in 1994.
