21-Mar-2016
The ATSB is investigating a collision with terrain involving a Robinson R22, VH-RGY, at Richmond Airport, Queensland, on 21 March 2016. After engine start, the helicopter collided with terrain resulting in substantial damage. The pilot was uninjured.... Read more
14-Mar-2016Source: Onboard Systems
Onboard Systems International, Inc., a leading provider of innovative helicopter cargo hook equipment, announced that its cargo hook kits for the Robinson R66 aircraft have been certified for use in Brazil by the Agencia Nacional de Aviacao Civil (ANAC). A Certificado de Homologacao Suplementar de Tipos (CHST) was issued for the cargo hook kits. Onboard... Read more
10-Mar-2016Source: Magellan
Magellan Aerospace (“Magellan”) announced today that a Wire Strike Protection System™ (WSPS™) will soon be available for the Robinson R66 helicopter platform with the anticipated issuance of a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) in the first quarter of 2016. The WSPS™ is designed to provide a measure of protection for helicopters in level flight in the... Read more
9-Mar-2016Source: Daily Courier
The piece of equipment — which retails for $98,750 — is manufactured by X-Copter in Prescott and is used by Guidance Aviation for its helicopter pilot training program. See full story... Read more
1-Mar-2016Source: X-Copter
X-Copter and ForeFlight invite attendees of Heli-Expo 2016 to a demonstration of the integration of the ForeFlight Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) with the X-Copter Robinson Helicopter Simulator. The demonstration will take place on Wednesday afternoon at Heli-Expo 2016 in Louisville, KY from 2:00 to 3:00 in the X-Copter’s Booth #8231. Please join us and Prepare... Read more
24-Feb-2016Source: Robinson
Robinson Helicopter Company announces an optional 43-gallon auxiliary fuel tank for its R66 Turbine helicopter, extending the helicopter’s range by as much as 200 nautical miles (230 statute miles). The fuel tank mounts on a fiberglass tray that installs in the forward section of the baggage compartment. The tank occupies two-thirds of the compartment, leaving... Read more
23-Feb-2016Source: HeliHub.com
Heli-Expo is almost upon us, and it is a good time to both reflect on the year since the last event and look ahead to the future – hoping that we can see an improvement to give us a warm feeling inside. We look for new models being revealed, contracts being announced, the camaraderie of... Read more
23-Feb-2016Source: FRASCA
Frasca International, Inc. announces that Sky Safari General Aviation Co, Ltd., Shanghai, China, has taken delivery of a new FRASCA R44 Level 5 Flight Training Device (FTD). The FRASCA R44FTD is a high fidelity simulator for the Robinson R44 helicopter. The simulator cockpit accurately replicates the R44 aircraft, including panels, controls and instrumentation. Additional features... Read more
22-Feb-2016Source: RHC
Robinson is officially accepting orders for its new two-place R44 Cadet. The introductory price with standard equipment is $339,000 USD, the float equipped version is $367,000 USD, and the required non-refundable deposit is $40,000 USD. Serial numbers will not be assigned and delivery dates will not be confirmed until FAA certification is complete. The R44... Read more
20-Feb-2016
The ATSB is investigating a wirestrike and collision with terrain involving a Robinson R22 helicopter, VH-LYW, 88 km northeast of Roma, Queensland, on 20 February 2016. During aerial mustering operations, the helicopter struck powerlines and subsequently collided with terrain. The pilot sustained serious injuries, and the helicopter was destroyed.... Read more
15-Feb-2016Source: HeliHub.com
The annual factory production review has been released by GAMA, and confirms the Robinson R44 remains the dominant piston-engined helicopter type in the world. However, looking at the detailed numbers, it confirms that French manufacturer Helicoptères Guimbal produced more of their G2 Cabri model in 2015 than Robinson produced R22s. Guimbal produced 44 Cabris, and... Read more
14-Feb-2016
During the approach and landing, the pilot sighted powerlines strung across his landing point, and manoeuvred to remain clear of them. While on the ground, the wind veered from a southwest to a southerly direction, so that to take off into wind, the helicopter would track perpendicular to the powerlines. After completing the pre-take-off checks,... Read more
2-Feb-2016Source: Guidance Aviation
In both its Arizona and Louisiana locations, Guidance Aviation offers helicopter charter services utilizing the Robinson R66. Applications range from construction deliveries, airport shuttles, executive transportation, scenic tours, pipeline/power line assessment, and external loads. “The Robinson R66 helicopter has one of the lowest operating costs and best safety records in the industry,” stated Cody Cooper,... Read more
27-Jan-2016Source: Holland & Knight
A federal court in the District of Arizona, applying Ninth Circuit precedent, has weighed in on the limitations of personal jurisdiction over a non-resident engine manufacturer in the context of tort claims alleging failure to warn about changes in a helicopter engine Operation and Maintenance Manual (“OMM”). See Full Story ... Read more
22-Jan-2016Source: Robinson
Robinson Helicopter delivered 347 aircraft in 2015, made up of 117 R66s, 196 R44s, and 34 R22s – a steady gain over 2014, which was in itself a huge drop over 2013. Looking at each model, the R22 production was the lowest in six years, R44s were marginally ahead and the main percentage gain was... Read more
12-Jan-2016Source: AllMetalMS
All Metal MS, a global leader in the design and manufacturing of solution-driven, custom “Safety First” maintenance stands, hangar equipment, portable field equipment and specialty tooling, announced today the unveiling of its “Safety First” Robinson R22, R44, R66 Maintenance Stand (RW-SS-ROB66) which was delivered to 702 Helicopters located in Las Vegas. The Robinson R22, R44,... Read more
5-Jan-2016Source: HeliHub.com
Cambridge based Aeromega have recently announced the addition of a Robinson R66 to their fleet. In a blog post, they have said that their customer Marfleet Civil Engineering have just purchased the helicopter and the owners have completed their R66 type ratings. They continue by announcing that Marfleet have agreed that G-RMAR can be added... Read more
4-Jan-2016Source: Robinson
Robinson’s 700th R66 Turbine rolled off the production line on December 18, 2015, five years after the 5-place helicopter was FAA certificated. Serial Number 700 is an R66 Turbine Marine, which is an R66 equipped with pop-out floats, and will be delivered to Robinson Dealer Air Technology Belgium. This will be the first Turbine Marine... Read more
9-Dec-2015
Accident reported on NTSB website without further details... Read more
8-Dec-2015Source: HeliHub.com
British training school Advance Helicopters have added a Robinson R66 to their fleet recently with a new customer-owned example delivered via Robinson dealer Heli Air. Serial 0631 is registered G-FLOE and in an all-black scheme, and is based with Advance at Shoreham Airport on Britain’s south coast. The R66 joins a varied fleet. Advance operates... Read more
7-Dec-2015Source: Robinson
On November 13th, in Spray Lakes, Canada, Robinson’s R66 Turbine passed the FAA’s and Transport Canada’s test to allow flight in snow conditions. The stringent test requires extended flight in weather conditions that are difficult to find even in Canada. When alerted by Canadian based dealer Eric Gould of Aerial Recon that the right combination... Read more
2-Dec-2015
Both occupants suffered fatal injuries when this R44 went down in the Limpopo region of South Africa. The pair were named as De Klerk van Heerden and Roxanne van der Bank... Read more
1-Dec-2015
R22 went down on a training flight from Venice Regional Airport. Female student named here as Agnus Jolumo was airlifted to Sarasota Memorial Hospital with head and facial injuries, while the male instructor Ronald Vasconcelos went by land ambulance with minor injuries to Venice Bayfront Health FAA quote this as N8560M but that R22 was... Read more
30-Nov-2015Source: Sydney Morning Herald
Brazilian police are hunting for a Sao Paulo Santa Claus who kicked off the Christmas shopping season by stealing a helicopter. See Full Story... Read more
18-Nov-2015Source: Robinson
Following HeliHub.com SCOOP stories last week and yesterday, Robinson have now put out the following press release which fills the gaps not previously available. Robinson Helicopter Company plans to debut the R44 Cadet, a two place R44, in the first quarter of 2016. While suitable for a wide variety of utilitarian applications, Robinson developed the... Read more
17-Nov-2015Source: HeliHub.com
Following the exclusive HeliHub.com story last week regarding the new R44 model being worked on, we are now in a position to provide further details. HeliHub.com reader Paddy Wills has published a blog post in which more details are revealed. Paddy runs the excellent HeliPaddy – an app developed for the iOS, Android and web... Read more
12-Nov-2015Source: HeliHub.com
In the last few days, Robinson Helicopter Company have put a new R44 on the FAA register. No big deal, many will think. HeliHub.com takes a different view and regularly reviews data at airframe level and we think it is a big deal. Big enough deal for all our sources to be sworn to secrecy,... Read more
12-Nov-2015
The ATSB is investigating a collision with terrain involving a Robinson R22, VH-HWJ, 90km S of McArthur River Mine, Northern Territory, on 12 November 2015. While conducting aerial mustering operations, the helicopter collided with terrain. The pilot sustained serious injuries and the helicopter was substantially damaged.... Read more
9-Nov-2015Source: NZ CAA
The CAA says new requirements for pilots flying Robinson helicopters will help prevent accidents. Graeme Harris, The Director of Civil Aviation (CAA) has determined that additional safety awareness training will be required for pilots flying Robinson R22 and R44 helicopters. In response to a Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) recommendation we reviewed the status of... Read more
6-Nov-2015
Shortly after take-off, the helicopter collided with terrain, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot and passenger were not injured.... Read more
5-Nov-2015
On return from a local flight, pilot stabilizes the hovering helicopter, turns round before starting a fast forward about 5 m height. After about 300m the pilot the helicopter pitched up to stop hovering. He then receives a uncontrolled increase in engine speed and fails to reduce power. He loses control in rotation, the right... Read more
2-Nov-2015Source: HeliHub.com
EASA has issued a “Major Change Approval” document dated 20th October 2015, approving pop-out floats for the Robinson R66 Turbine. This model is known at Robinson Helicopter Co (RHC) as the R66 Turbine Marine, and was approved by the FAA on November 15, 2014. The R66 pop-out float option is similar to the R44 Clipper... Read more
27-Oct-2015Source: Mornington Sanford Aviation
Richard Mornington-Sanford of Mornington Sanford Aviation conduct’s the first Indonesian Approved R66 and RR300 engine type training course to assist with certifying the first Robinson R66 Turbine in the country. The Robinson R66 Turbine, registration PK-JBD, serial number 0620, was shipped from RHC via airfreight to Solaire Helicopter’s facility at Subang Airport, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,... Read more
27-Oct-2015Source: HeliHub.com
Spanish Police have recently announced that they impounded three helicopters in the last year which they believe have been used in drug smuggling operations between Morocco and Spain – photos of two of these are shown below. They believe they have broken two criminal organisations, and arrested a total of 15 and seized 810kg of... Read more
20-Oct-2015Source: HeliHub.com
Robinson Helicopter Co registered serial number 0690 on 9th October (it’s N959BC, if you want to check). This is a landmark achievement in the five-seat single-turbine world as it is the point where the total passes the production to date of the EC120 (now H120). See also our comparison article between these two types from... Read more
18-Oct-2015Source: Nordic Rotors
Sweden’s very first Robinson R66 Turbine has arrived. The helicopter was imported from the Robinson Factory in Torrance, California, by Scandinavian Helicopter Center earlier this summer, and it is now becoming a frequent sight in Västerås. The R66 is owned by Roger Gudmundsäter, the original founder of iTell Helicopter and the previous owner of two... Read more
16-Oct-2015
Emergency landing in the parking lot outside a store after reported fuel problems. No Damage apparent in press photos... Read more
7-Oct-2015
Helicopter crashed, injuring vet Niel Kriel and game keeper Dirk Uys... Read more
7-Oct-2015
During takeoff, the helicopter rolled over. The pilot, the only person on board, received minor injuries and the helicopter was substantially damaged.... Read more
5-Oct-2015
R44 with four POB crashed at the AgLand Cooperative fertilizer plant. Images show (1) tail boom sliced by main rotor blades and (2) heavy damage to the front of the cabin and all occupants injured, with two treated locally at Avera St. Benedict Hospital and two with more serious injuries transferred to a more equipped medical... Read more
29-Sep-2015Source: Rotorcorp
You can hate them, but you gotta’ have them. You have probably bought more than one set of costly ground handling wheels for your Robinson Helicopter over the years and have likely felt that you are not quite getting your money’s worth. The ground handling wheel market is flooded with variations of the same old... Read more
25-Sep-2015
Student pilot (reportedly on first solo), and helicopter ended on its side... Read more
16-Sep-2015Source: HeliHub.com
Heliports of Russia have recently announced plans for a new heliport in Kaluga, to open in the second half of 2016. Russian website ATO.ru reports that the announcement, made recently at the JetExpo 2015 event in Moscow, identifies a site on the bank of the river Oka, and a cost of “over 300 million roubles”... Read more
12-Sep-2015
Take-off accident, ended on its starboard side with creased tail boom, destroyed rotor mast and blades. One of the two occupants needed first aid only.... Read more
9-Sep-2015
Helicopter crashed into trees, dropping vertically nose-first between the trees down to the ground, killing both on board – named as 24-year-old Jeremie Belanger and 41-year-old Ken Mielke – both were pilots were pilots for Apex Helicopters, which was performing aerial spraying for a forestry company in the area. CADORS 2015O2625... Read more
7-Sep-2015
During a hard landing in a field with low-level crop (presumably an emergency landing?), the helicopter rocked back onto its tail, resulting in the tail rotor gearbox and tail shearing off. Rest of helicopter appears unscathed, apart from the skids being splayed out as a result of the heavy landing.... Read more
4-Sep-2015Source: Robinson
The same Genesys Aerosystems HeliSAS (Helicopter Stability Augmentation System) and autopilot that was FAA approved on the R66 earlier this year is now available on Robinson’s top selling R44. The R44 autopilot option has all of the same modes and functionality as the R66 including basic stability augmentation, heading hold, altitude hold, navigation signal tracking,... Read more
28-Aug-2015
The helicopter landed hard from an altitude of about 15 feet and slid about 8 to 10 feet. Both skids were spread apart and broken and the helicopter came to rest on its fuselage. Both tail rotor blades separated and the vertical stabilizer was damaged. There was some buckling of the fuselage. The tail boom... Read more
25-Aug-2015
Pilot John Marcotte suffered minor injuries. Tail boom sliced in two places, helicopter ended on its starboard side in a hay field – approx one mile out after departing local airfield... Read more
22-Aug-2015
Clipped tree and crashed to the ground during filming operations. Wayne Bomstad received minor injuries. Pilot Jacob Oliver was still in hospital four days later according to this report.... Read more
18-Aug-2015
Training accident. Recording of ATC transmissions on this YouTube video.... Read more
17-Aug-2015
Large taildragger fixed wing (Boeing Stearman N56200) taxied directly into the parked and unattended R44, causing extensive damage to cabin, avionics etc.... Read more
10-Aug-2015Source: Torquay Herald Express
TORBAY millionaire hotel owner Keith Richardson has been fined £3,000 after his helicopter caused a parasol to take off and strike a teenage guest. See Full Story... Read more
8-Aug-2015
Mid-air with Cessna U206F Floatplane RA-67523 killing all four in the R44 and five in the Cessna. Initial reports say the Cessna pilot was taking off in the evening into the sun and likely did not see the helicopter... Read more
7-Aug-2015
Agricultural helicopter hit wire and crashed into cornfield. Pilot injured and to hospital... Read more
6-Aug-2015Source: Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum
Leading up to the September 3rd soft opening, the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum will begin offering helicopter tours from August 5th throughout the summer over one of the world’s densest dinosaur bone-bed sites. The tours will showcase stunning aerial views of the museum, Pipestone Creek and Wapiti River, snaking through heavily wooded terrain to the mass gravesite of... Read more
6-Aug-2015
Precautionary landing on golf course. Later cleared for onward flight... Read more
1-Aug-2015
Date is estimated, and may be any time in the range 23-Jun (last known flight) to 05-Aug, when the helicopter was seen damaged on a trailer in the insurance compound at Fairoaks Airport in the UK. Helicopter looks mostly complete, but tail boom a little bent and the lower part of the tail is bent... Read more
29-Jul-2015Source: Robinson
Robinson Helicopter Company announced its R66 Turbine Police Helicopter with the FLIR Systems Ultra 8000 Infrared Camera and the Spectrolab SX-7 searchlight with 30-million candlepower has been reconfigured to include a multitude of upgrades. This high performance 4-place police helicopter comes standard with a Garmin G500H Primary and Multifunction Display System (PFD/MFD), a Garmin GTN... Read more
29-Jul-2015Source: Onboard Systems
Onboard Systems International, Inc., a leading provider of innovative helicopter cargo hook equipment, today announced that its cargo hook kit for the Robinson R66 aircraft has been STC certified by the FAA. Onboard will also submit this system to Transport Canada and EASA for certification in Canada and Europe, respectively. The R66 cargo hook kit... Read more
28-Jul-2015
Russian pilot Sergey Ananov was most of the way to completing a solo circumnavigation in a Robinson R22. He had refuelled in Iqaluit, Nunavut, and was on a 500 mile leg to Nuuk in Greenland when contact was lost. He was reported overdue at 3.20pm Eastern time on Saturday 25th July. Weather conditions were hazardous... Read more
27-Jul-2015
Landing accident with helicopter ending on its starboard side. 3 POB not serious injured... Read more
26-Jul-2015Source: HeliHub.com
The update from the project Facebook page says so much and our hearts go out to the support team at this time “With heavy hearts we have to write that unfortunately yesterday we lost contact with Sergey during his flight over Davis Strait … Almost immediately after receiving the last Delorme tracking message with 0... Read more
25-Jul-2015
Helicopter was operating VFR from CYFB Iqaluit, NU to BGGH Nuuk, Greenland as part of a solo circumnavigation attempt. The pilot (Sergey Ananov from Russia) autorotated and ditched the aircraft in the Davis Strait, 204 nm east of CYFB, reportedly due to a broken drive belt. He was wearing an immersion suit and managed to... Read more
24-Jul-2015
Helicopter was being used to spray fungicide on fields of corn. The pilot approached and overflew one field checking for hazards and wind conditions, and then began a spray swath across the field. Midway through the first swath, the pilot heard the low rotor horn sound. Manually rolling the throttle up did not prevent the... Read more
23-Jul-2015
Substantially damaged after “force landing in the dirt” (FAA)... Read more
16-Jul-2015
Force landing in field. 3 POB. Minor damage... Read more
15-Jul-2015
Helicopter landed at a manufacturing business, severing powerline. After brief stop on the ground – and “the authorities had arrived at the scene“, the helicopter took off again and departed the area... Read more
14-Jul-2015Source: Kentucky New Era
Taking off at the Hopkinsville-Christian County Airport is a new business that’s the product of a 51-year-old Clarksville woman’s passion for aviation, a little bit of luck and a light utility helicopter that could easily fit on a large flatbed trailer. See full story... Read more
14-Jul-2015
During mustering operations, the helicopter collided with terrain, resulting in substantial damage (photo). The pilot, who was the sole occupant of the helicopter, sustained minor injuries. Final report says “According to the Carburettor Icing Probability chart, the conditions indicated a high probability of serious carburettor icing at descent power.”... Read more
13-Jul-2015
Main blade struck tail boom on landing... Read more
12-Jul-2015
Pilot Duane Fielding, of St. George, and his 14-year-old son/passenger were not seriously injured. Gust of wind while in a low hover led tail to touch the ground, causing the helicopter to become unstable and crash... Read more
