Robinson Helicopter has produced its 12,000th helicopter, the Torrance, California-based helicopter manufacturer announced late last week. Company CEO Kurt Robinson said the helicopter rolled off the assembly line on December 23 and called the milestone "a nice way to end the year."
The aircraft—a turbine single R66, S/N 0763—will be delivered to Hover Dynamics, one of three long-time Robinson dealers in South Africa. It was purchased by a new charter and tour operator, Fly Karoo Air Services, operating in the Graaff-Reinet area.
Meanwhile, Robinson is currently working to certify several new options on the R66, including a gyro-stabilized camera for newsgathering, wire-strike kit, lithium-ion battery, data recorder and inlet barrier filter.
Besides the five-place R66, the company also makes the two-place R22, four-place R44 and the new two-place (increased-payload) R44 Cadet. Robinson was founded in 1973 and is the world's leading manufacturer of civil helicopters.