The Robinson R66 offers two comfortable front seats separated by a central cyclic control, the famous Robinson "T-bar" design. The back seat is just barely wide enough for three passengers and has enough legroom for a passenger up to perhaps 5'4" in height. The airbag seatbelts that have been standard since 2005 on general aviation aircraft from Cessna, Cirrus, Diamond, and Piper are not offered on the R66. The machine offers cargo space underneath the seats and in a spacious rear cargo compartment.
Engine controls are mechanical, with no FADEC to prevent hot starts, hung starts, or overtorquing, any of which can be caused by a student, low-time, or distracted pilot and all of which can easily cost $50,000 to inspect and repair. Flight instruments are mechanical, the traditional 6-pack of steam gauges. No autopilot is available.
22nd to the 24th September 2009, Helitech show in duxford cambridgeshire www.helitech.co.uk
The Robinson R66 is a five-seat turbine-powered helicopter with a two-blade teetering rotor system. It should be certified by the end of 2009, with customer deliveries in 2010.
The Robinson R66 offers two comfortable front seats separated by a central cyclic control, the famous Robinson "T-bar" design. The back seat is just barely wide enough for three passengers and has enough legroom for a passenger up to perhaps 5'4" in height...
