News: Robinson R66 FAA certified

[Jack]

On 25 October 2010, three years and eight months after Robinson Helicopter publicly announced plans to develop a five-place turbine helicopter, the Robinson R66 was Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified. The R66 is powered by a single Rolls Royce RR 300 turboshaft engine and is the first turbine powered model in Robinson’s product line. Preliminary performance figures of the R66 are:
* Maximum all up weight 2,700 lbs. Empty weight 1,280 lbs. Full fuel 493 lbs. Payload with full fuel 927 lbs;
* Five seats in a two-plus-three configuration;
* Large baggage compartment - maximum load 300 lbs;
* Cruise speed at Maximum All Up Weight (MAUW) 120Kts;
* Rolls Royce RR 300 engine de-rated by 10%;
* Ex-factory base price US$ 790,000.

http://www.rolls-royce.com/civil/news/2 ... er_r66.jsp

De nieuwe Robinson R66 is op 25 oktober FAA- gecertificeerd.

[Jack]

Canadian and European regulators have held up certification of the five-seat Robinson R66 helicopter and requested more tests on the hydraulic system, said company president Kurt Robinson.

Transport Canada (TC) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have asked the company to prove the pilot's ability to control the helicopter will not be compromised if a small particle or chip jams a control valve that causes the hydraulic system to fail, Robinson said.
The US Federal Aviation Administration granted Robinson's company an exemption from the rule and awarded the R66 an airworthiness certificate in October 2010.

However, TC and EASA officials want the California-based airframer to complete a second round of testing to prove that the R66 is controllable without a back-up hydraulics system, Robinson said.

The R66 completed a first round of testing in the third quarter of last year, but the results did not prompt EASA and TC to approve certification. The company submitted a proposal for a second round of tests to the FAA in November, but so far the agency has not decided which tests to include in the next round, Robinson said.

bron: http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articl ... on-368235/

De nieuwe Robinson R66 is nog steeds niet gecertificeerd door de EASA en Transport Canada (TC)