Heavy landing which resulted in the starboard skid ripped off, main blades damaged, tail strike which destroyed tail blades Registration to be confirmed as HC-CVB is also reported as a Bell 505
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-12-18 for Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) Model R44 II helicopters. AD 2019-12-18 required inspecting certain engine air induction hoses (hoses) and replacing any hose that was not airworthy. AD 2019-12-18 also prohibited the installation of certain hoses. This AD continues to require inspecting those previously affected hoses and… Read more »
Robinson delivered R66 Turbine serial number 1000 to Robinson dealer Les Gillespie of Gardner Aviation (Peachtree City, GA). FAA-certified in October 2010, the first production R66 was delivered the following month. Since then, the R66 has proven itself on a daily basis. Powered by the Rolls Royce RR300 turbine engine, the R66 recently surpassed 1.2… Read more »
At last week’s Victory Parade to mark the 101st anniversary of the Estonian Air Force, the announcement was made that the R44 is to be retired, which will leave the country without any military helicopters. The first has been donated to Lennundusmuuseum (the Estonian Aviation Museum) eight miles south of Tartu, and the other three… Read more »
R22 and R44 helicopters purchased after January 15th will be outfitted with Lycoming’s recently certified Electronic Ignition System (EIS). The EIS offers increased reliability, improved starting characteristics, and reduced maintenance. The EIS installation replaces the left starting magneto. The remaining right magneto provides redundant ignition and eliminates the need for a backup power supply. EIS… Read more »
ESAID® now provides altitude callouts and large, crisp display of Radar Altitude. ESAID® calculates density altitude, power, hover and airspeed performance limitations twice per second, giving the pilot enhanced situational awareness. FODR® and ESAID® are FAA STC approved on the Robinson R 44 II helicopter. The EIT Avionics FODR® is a high performance data recorder… Read more »
Robinson Helicopter Company is now offering Shadin Avionics’ fuel flow meter on new R66s equipped with Garmin GTN 6xx or 750 GPS navigators. The fuel flow meter provides real-time fuel flow data to the GTN which in turn displays the fuel consumption rate along with fuel range rings on a moving map. Fuel used, fuel… Read more »
GAMA, the General Aviation Manufacturers’ Association, has released it’s quarterly production report covering January to March 2020. This covers the general aviation aircraft shipments and billings for the first quarter of 2020. Piston, turboprop, business jet and rotorcraft deliveries declined across all segments during the first quarter of 2020 as compared to the first quarter… Read more »
Robinson introduces optional impact-resistant windshields for R22, R44, and R66 helicopters to provide protection from bird strikes. Due to the lack of requirements governing small category helicopters, Robinson based the impact-resistant design on FAA requirements governing large transport category helicopters. The new windshields are constructed of tough, energy-absorbing polycarbonate (standard windshields are made of acrylic)… Read more »
Robinson Helicopter Company delivered three R44 Cadets and three R22s to Robinson dealer General Aviation Services of Hunan, China. This marks the first delivery of an R44 Cadet to China. All six helicopters were ordered on behalf of YiFei General Aviation Company which specializes in helicopter management, operation, and training. YiFei has been using Robinsons… Read more »
We are happy to announce that Robinson Helicopter Company and Escrow Custodian Services have joined our Association recently. Here are their quotes: “Robinson sees membership in EHA as an opportunity to be more engaged in the European helicopter industry. California is a long way from Europe and our primary connection to the continent has been… Read more »
Source:
European Helicopter Association, 12-Mar-20
Rotorcorp LLC, the world’s largest seller of parts and components for Robinson R22, R44 and R66 Helicopters announced today that the company is immediately withdrawing its support of direct-overhaul and overhaul-exchange RR30000412 starter generators available through Skurka Aerospace, Inc. and Boeing Distribution Services, Inc. (formerly Aviall). This model starter generator assembly is featured on the… Read more »
S.A.F.E. Structure Designs develops innovative tools and support equipment in response to the needs of the customer. In cooperation with Southern Utah University (SUU), S.A.F.E. is providing a unique Pitch Adjustment Tool that ensures accurate adjustment and replacement of pitch change links for the R22, R44 and R66 helicopter. This tool inspired by SUU maintenance… Read more »
Figures released by GAMA this week paint a very poor picture for Robinson Helicopter Co, with unit production down 38% in 2019 compared to the previous year. Turnover fell from $167.3M to $110.1M, a drop of 34%. Production of the R22, R44 and R66 counted 19, 123 and 54 units respectively in 2019, each figure… Read more »
Robinson Newscopters continue to make inroads into major media markets in the U.S. with Washington D.C. and Tampa, Florida, becoming the latest to employ Robinson Electric News Gathering (ENG) helicopters. SKY Helicopters, Robinson’s longtime dealer in Garland, Texas, recently took delivery of a new R66 Newscopter bringing the company’s fleet of Robinson Newscopters to fifteen…. Read more »
A helicopter crashed in a backyard of a home in Silver Spring Township, US-Pennsylvania. The two occupants on-board died, no injuries on the ground reported.
The aircraft lost power and struck power lines while apparently making an emergency landing near to the intersection of South Presa and East Southcross street, San Antonio, US-Texas. The aircraft received substantial damage. There were no reports of serious injuries to the occupants. – Photo
Helicopter operator AirX has begun a new helicopter link between Japan’s capital city and its main airport. Flights depart from Tokyo Heliport to Narita International Airport Flights in a Robinson R44 will take 18 minutes, a big time-saving over road transport (50-55 minutes) or public transport (80-85 minutes). Bookings are taken on a seat basis,… Read more »
Every potential helicopter manufacturer exhibitor – Airbus, Bell, Enstrom, Guimbal, Kopter, Leonardo, MD Helicopters, Robinson and Sikorsky – has decided against taking space at the upcoming Vertical Flight Expo, previously known as Helitech. Representatives from each of these manufacturers (or their UK distributors) have confirmed their position to HeliHub, and none of them appear in the… Read more »
The pilot and passenger were transported to a local hospital for treatment, but local press report the pilot died from injuries suffered in the crash, and the passenger remains in the hospital with critical injuries. Pilot named here as 53-year-old Scott Socquet from Milford, Connecticut. The passenger passed away two days later and was named here as Howard… Read more »
UAVOS has announced the addition of R22-UV unmanned helicopter to its agriculture unmanned aircraft portfolio for spraying for diseases, weed and pest control, vegetative control. R22-UV is a manned Robinson-22 helicopter converted by UAVOS to an unmanned aircraft. Agro-drone R22-UV is equipped with a specially developed (for Robinson helicopters) utility to deliver liquid chemicals –… Read more »
Robinson Helicopter Company announced the R66 Turbine fleet surpassed 1,000,000 flight hours. The R66 with the Rolls-Royce RR300 turbine engine achieved the million-hour mark without a single reported in-flight engine failure. This accomplishment demonstrates a level of reliability that exceeds EASA’s stringent requirements for single-engine helicopters performing commercial operations. “We believe this milestone is a… Read more »
The FAA certified Robinson Helicopter’s Slimline Auxiliary Fuel Tank for its R66 Turbine helicopter. The tank holds 23.2 gallons (88 liters), roughly half the fuel of the company’s larger auxiliary fuel tank, adds approximately 1 hour to helicopter endurance, and extends its range by as much as 100 nautical miles (115 statute miles). It mounts… Read more »
On July 25th Robinson Helicopter Company delivered two R44 Raven IIs to the Philippine National Police (PNP). The aircraft were purchased through Robinson’s longtime dealer Lionair Inc. (Manilla, Philippines), marking the first acquisition of Robinson helicopters by the Philippine government. The PNP is the armed civilian national police force tasked with law enforcement throughout the… Read more »
On August 13th-16th Robinson Helicopter Company will host the U.S. Helicopter Safety Team’s (USHST) annual meeting at its Torrance, California factory. The meeting follows the USHST’s recent call to action to the helicopter community to address rising accident rates. The safety conference kicks off with a Steering Committee meeting on Tuesday, followed by two days… Read more »
On 12 July 2019 Robinson Helicopter Company expanded its FAA/EASA approved Repair Station by opening a stand-alone 37,000 square foot facility dedicated to repairs and overhauls. Completed in approximately 18 months, the facility was designed to streamline the repair, inspection, and overhaul process. As the size of the Robinson fleet (12,000+) grows, the demand for… Read more »
On July 1st, television station WJZ of Baltimore, Maryland took delivery of a new Robinson R66 Newscopter. Owned and operated by CBS, WJZ services the 2.8 million residents in the Baltimore metropolitan area. SKY Helicopters, a longtime Robinson dealer in Garland, Texas, leased the helicopter to WJZ and will provide on-going aviation and technical support…. Read more »
Simplex® Aerospace has been granted validation of supplemental type certificate (STC) from Transport Canada, TC Validation #SH19-34, for their latest agricultural spray system for the Robinson R66 Helicopters. The validation will be the only USA made agricultural spray system for the Robinson R66 in Canada. The Simplex® Aerospace Model 266, is a next-generation spray system… Read more »
The upcoming Heli UK Expo event at Wycombe Air Park on 13-15 June will feature four manufacturers. Airbus Helicopters UK will be bringing an H130, Bell’s representatives HelixAv have two 505s and a 407 and HeliGroup will show a G2 Cabri from French manufacturer Guimbal. Robinson have three distributors based in the UK, and all… Read more »
Robinson-22 helicopter converted by UAVOS to unmanned drone successfully completed in-air programmed missions. The project was carried out jointly with King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), a scientific government institution of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The first flight of the modernized helicopter lasted more than 1 hour and was performed in a… Read more »
An updated flight training guide is now available from Robinson Helicopter Company, whose helicopters have become synonymous with flight training. The comprehensive guide addresses the many levels of training, from the student pilot trying to find the “hover button”, to the rated helicopter pilot transitioning into a Robinson, to the all-important flight review. The guide… Read more »
On May 8th, Robinson Helicopter Company delivered two R44 Cadets to the University of North Dakota (UND). The bright green and yellow helicopters are the latest additions to the University’s growing fleet of Cadets. As with the two previously acquired Cadets, purchased in 2017 and 2018, the new Cadets will be used for training at… Read more »
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Region IV Administrator Ashley D. Bell today named Rotorcorp LLC as the 2019 SBA Exporter of the Year for the State of Georgia and the larger eight-state Southeast Region. “We are honored to highlight regional small business champions who are making significant changes by driving our economy and creating… Read more »
AHMEC presents its Annual Achievement Award for innovation in rotary wing flight at its annual Gala fundraiser on Saturday, April 27, from 5 until 10 p.m. This year’s recipients are Dr. Martine Rothblatt, Chairman and CEO of United Therapeutics, and Tier 1 Engineering for their Electric Powered Robinson R44 helicopter. Piloted by Captain Ric Webb… Read more »
HQ Aviation, the very successful British helicopter training school and maintenance centre has expanded its list of approvals through its appointment as a Rolls-Royce RR300 Authorized Service Center. Engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce today at Heli-Expo 2019 officially confirmed HQ Aviation has joined the RR300 Service Center network, which offers global, approved maintenance support to RR300 powered Robinson R66… Read more »
As Europe’s longest-established dealer for the Robinson Helicopter Company, Sloane Helicopters will soon be taking delivery of its 500th new Robinson helicopter – R44 Raven II S/N 14297. This significant milestone highlights the successful partnership between Sloane and Robinson, reflecting Sloane’s dedication and expertise in supporting the full range of Robinson helicopters. Kurt Robinson commented,… Read more »
Robinson’s R22 officially turns 40-years-old on March 16th. In celebration, at this year’s Heli Expo convention in Atlanta, Robinson will display a new R22 (S/N 4797, N40YR) painted in the same scheme and colors as the very first R22 (S/N 0001). While the exterior will pay tribute to the R22’s origins, the interior will showcase… Read more »
Remained upright in very heavy emergency landing on golf course after tail rotor birdstrike reported. Tail hit ground, skids collapsed. Training flight from nearby Hayward Executive airport – instructor and student not seriously injured
Robinson added Avidyne’s IFD 400 series touchscreen GPS navigators to its R22, R44 and R66 avionics options. The 400 series may be operated by either touchscreen or buttons and knobs which allows the IFD to be installed in the helicopter’s lower center console or in the pilot side console. Wi-Fi, for interfacing with an iPad,… Read more »
Robinson Helicopter Company delivered two R44 Raven IIs to longtime Robinson dealer, PHU Polinar of Poland. On November 13th, PHU Polinar delivered the aircraft to the Polish Air Force University, marking the first acquisition of American helicopters to be used for military training in Poland. Founded in 1927, the Polish Air Force University is an… Read more »
Simplex® Aerospace announced it has received FAA STC SR02629SE for their latest agricultural spray system for the Robinson R66 helicopter. The spray system, Simplex® Aerospace Model 266, is a next-generation spray system integrating several of Simplex® Aerospace’s newly developed agricultural spray technologies including new composite techniques and carbon-fiber booms. Simplex is the sole U.S. producer… Read more »
The Southern Utah University Aviation Program continues to grow and improve with the arrival of a brand new helicopter. The Robinson R44 Cadet is straight from the factory, and specifically selected in SUU red. SUU’s Aviation Program works hard to provide students with the best opportunities to learn preparing them for future careers. Robert Paul, Assistant Chief Instructor of… Read more »
On 8 November 2018, Transport Canada approved Robinson’s R66 cargo hook installation, providing Canadian commercial lift operators with a high performance, low cost solution giving them a leg up on the competition. The optional cargo hook carries external loads up to 1200 lb., and the R66’s maximum gross weight increases from 2700 lb. to 2900… Read more »
The helicopter collided with terrain about 130km ENE of Alice Springs Airport. A passenger and pilot were on board. The passenger sustained serious injuries and the pilot was fatally injured. The helicopter was destroyed.
As the helicopter lifted, it began to rotate to the right which the instructor attempted to counter with the application of left pedal and by lowering the collective. The helicopter then rolled to the left and the front of the left skid contacted the ground before breaking off. The helicopter continued to roll further to… Read more »
