Robinson doubles R66 production rate

Robinson doubles R66 production rate

4-Dec-2012 Source: HeliHub.com

Robinson Helicopter Co have confirmed to HeliHub.com that they have doubled the R66 production rate from three a week at the start of 2012 to six a week at the back end of the year.  The company target is that the lead time for delivery should never be more than six months, and they had let it drift to almost 12 months.

In August 2012, the delivery time for a new R66 order was being quoted as June 2013.  This week, dealers have been advised that a new R66 order would be delivered in “late June 2013” so they are practically at their six month target.

Meanwhile, the other production types have the following lead times
– R22 – 8-10 weeks (was 3 months at August 2012 )
– R44 I – late March 2013 = 3½ months (was 4 months)
– R44 II –  late April 2013 = 4½ months (was 7 months)

These figures would suggest that R44 Raven II production rates have stepped up too.

Meanwhile, the lack of certification of the R66 in EASA countries, Russia and Canada continues to make a major dent on the potential sales and factory production.  HeliHub.com estimates that R66 production rate will likely double again from the current six to twelve a week once these hurdles are sorted out.  However, while it appears that Canadian and Russian certifications are rather closer, the lack of news on the EASA approval is nothing short of hugely frustrating to European dealers.

Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com

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