On Friday 1st July, Kurt Robinson, president of Robinson Helicopter Co, issued a statement to the global dealer network regarding delays in deliveries of their newest model – the R66 Turbine.

Over the past several months, production of the R66 has fallen behind forecast due to a shortage of fuel bladders.  Robinson has been working with its un-named vendor to resolve the situation.  A recent delivery of fuel bladders to the factory at Torrance is an indication that the problem is being resolved, and Robinson is working hard to get the R66 line back on schedule.  The company indicated that serial numbers 0041 through 0056 will be delayed approximately 6-10 weeks.

HeliHub.com understands that the supplier concerned is Zodiac Aerospace.

There is no indication as to whether this impacts the EASA certification date (see HeliHub.com story).

Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com