Anyone seen or heard anything on the new six place Robinson? I
understand it will be Turbine powered.

>Anyone seen or heard anything on the new six place Robinson? I
>understand it will be Turbine powered.

Nothing on their web site.

I've seen mention of this several times over the last few months. Frank
Robinson always denies that they're working on a turbine ship. Yet, the
rumor continues... It will be interesting to see if anything actually
comes of it.

From a business perspective, I can't see the point in Robinson doing
this, unless they can somehow bring in a competitive ship at a
significantly lower price and DOC.. They seem to be doing just fine,
building as many R44s as they can, and maintaining a many-month
backlog. Frank seems to've found his niche building three-person,
reasonably fast helicopters - why would he want to try to delve into the
turbine world?

Dave Blevins

On 1 Mar 2004 11:30:13 -0800, (Eric D) wrote:

>Anyone seen or heard anything on the new six place Robinson? I
>understand it will be Turbine powered.

On Mon, 01 Mar 2004 18:00:51 -0800, wrote:

>I've seen mention of this several times over the last few months. Frank
>Robinson always denies that they're working on a turbine ship. Yet, the
>rumor continues... It will be interesting to see if anything actually
>comes of it.
>
>From a business perspective, I can't see the point in Robinson doing
>this, unless they can somehow bring in a competitive ship at a
>significantly lower price and DOC.. They seem to be doing just fine,
>building as many R44s as they can, and maintaining a many-month
>backlog. Frank seems to've found his niche building three-person,
>reasonably fast helicopters - why would he want to try to delve into the
>turbine world?
>
>Dave Blevins

He doesn't. That new Raven-II is a jewel to fly. The hydraulic
actuator control system is wonderful. It's 35 knots faster than the
Jet Ranger and burns half the fuel, plus it's 100 low lead. Now that
they have put some altitude performance into it, I doubt that Frank is
thinking about a turbine at all.

Hell, the R-44 is almost maintenance free for the first 1000 hours.
The Lycocoming 540 is derated to the point it's not being taxed and if
treated right, will go to TBO with ease. Why would Frank want to
screw with a winning equation? There is a 5 month wait on the new
Raven-II (R-44) right now. Frank can't build em fast enough. And at
$350,000 a pop, they are really a good deal for a 130 knot ship that
carries 3 big people and will hover at 10,000 feet.

I like it so much, I wish I had one. It's really the answer to a lot
of dreams for many applications. Silver State Helicopters here in
Vegas is working on some really interesting proposals using that ship.
It will be interesting to see what Jerry comes up with. He has one
with a FLIR on it, a loud PA system and a 10 million candle power
light. It's used for police work right now and there are many other
applications for it that are just around the corner. Just watch.
That ship will outrun, and out perform a 206 for many applications.

BWB

35 kts faster where does that come from

On 02 Mar 2004 15:25:08 GMT,
(Stevenatherton) wrote:

>35 kts faster where does that come from

The airspeed indicator. I fly then both. I usually get about 95
knots out of the Ranger and 130 out of the R-44 Raven-II. Hell if I
know where it comes from. It's just comes.

BWB

"Badwater Bill" > wrote in message
...
> On 02 Mar 2004 15:25:08 GMT,
> (Stevenatherton) wrote:
>
> >35 kts faster where does that come from
>
> The airspeed indicator. I fly then both. I usually get about 95
> knots out of the Ranger and 130 out of the R-44 Raven-II. Hell if I
> know where it comes from. It's just comes.
>
> BWB
>
>
>

I'm not that up on the specifics of both these machines but some things that
come to mind are:

1. Superior power to weight figures. That one's hard to believe when
comparing turbines to pistons but.......?

2. Better aerodynamics

Just a thought,
Fly Safe,
Steve R.

This is not the first time these R66 rumors have come out right before
Heli-Expo. I remember about 2yrs ago there were speculations around about it
as well. Turns out that was when the Raven II was being worked out. I think
he'd be smarter to stick with pistons, but if he could come up with a way to
haul 5 people it would be pretty marketable. I know a guy who has a 44 and a
B206 flying tours with them. He said the 44 hardly ever gets flown because you
never have a group of 3 people who want to fly.
davdirect

>Subject: New Robinson R66??

>Anyone seen or heard anything on the new six place Robinson? I
>understand it will be Turbine powered.

Saw that it would be called the R-55, a 5 seater, but at the HAI Convention
Frank Robinson emphasized that it wouldnt happen until they find the right
engine. Preliminary work continues on three alternatives: a turbine, diesel and
turbocharged Lycoming.
Robinson likes the diesel but they have to "get the weight out".

Get the weight out indeed! A diesel engine would be an interesting
application but I don't know. They're heavy for a reason! Wouldn't bother
me a bit is Robinson could make it work though.

Fly Safe,
Steve R.


"Micbloo" > wrote in message
...
> >Subject: New Robinson R66??
>
> >Anyone seen or heard anything on the new six place Robinson? I
> >understand it will be Turbine powered.
>
> Saw that it would be called the R-55, a 5 seater, but at the HAI
Convention
> Frank Robinson emphasized that it wouldnt happen until they find the right
> engine. Preliminary work continues on three alternatives: a turbine,
diesel and
> turbocharged Lycoming.
> Robinson likes the diesel but they have to "get the weight out".

I've always been skeptical about these 'rumors'...but in the Wed. HAI
"convention newspaper" there was an article about robinson and they asked Frank
a couple questions....when asked about a turbine he said they're definately
considering it...when asked about unmanned vehicle...he said definately not.
Interesting.
Dave

Have heared the R66 is on the cards from some good contacts in the USA
and it will be a three seat up front and three seat rear with a turbine
engine. Also heared that Frank is looking at ending the R22 production
to focus on the R44 as there is a greater return and less problems due
to flying schools and accidents??


--
stevebaby
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted via OziPilots Online [ http://www.OziPilotsOnline.com.au ]
- A website for Australian Pilots regardless of when, why, or what they fly -

Seems like about every year (normally right before Heli-Expo) the rumors start.
I'll believe it when I see it...though I think he would be wise to figure out
a way to make a 5 seat ship. I know a guy who flies tours and he has a B206
and an R44...he says he hardly ever flies the 44 cause there are very few
groups of 3 who want to fly, and never has a single flier to fill the 4th seat.
As to a turbine...Frank was quoted in a paper at Heli-Expo saying it's not out
of the question, but will certainly get away from the simplicity and
affordability that have sold a lot of ships for him in the past 20yrs. As for
getting out of the R22 biz, I doubt it...his dream was always to build an
affordable "personal helicopter"...he's sold tons of them...why walk away from
that and alienate all those customers?
Just an opinion
Dave