Story ID: 123RobinsonAINMay14EditedByAY_NM
Robinson Delivers 500th R66
By: Mark Huber
Caption: The 500th helicopter was delivered to Russian operator Aviamarket.
Word Count: 140
Robinson Helicopter has delivered its 500th R66 five-seat turbine single three-a-and-a-half years after receiving FAA certification.

The 500th helicopter was delivered to Aviamarket, one of three R66 dealers in Russia, and will be on display at the Heli-Russia Exhibition in Moscow from May 22 to 24. In April last year Aviamarket pilots landed R66 S/N 0040 at the North Pole and in September the company organized a successful, six-week around-the-world expedition using two R66s.

More than 100 R66 service centers and 68 R66 dealers have been established worldwide. Garmin and Aspen glass and touch-screen avionics were recently added to the R66’s options list and Robinson-engineered floats and cargo hook are currently undergoing final testing. The base R66 sells for $839,000 and is powered by a Rolls-Royce RR300 turboshaft (300 shp derated to 270 shp for takeoff and 224 shp continuous).