Robinson Launches R88, Its Biggest Helicopter Yet

Robinson Helicopter Company has unveiled the R88, marking its largest helicopter model to date. The new aircraft sets a new benchmark in the company’s lineup, offering advanced design, improved performance, and enhanced capabilities. Aimed at expanding its presence in the helicopter market, the R88 boasts cutting-edge features, ensuring greater efficiency and versatility for both commercial and private use. This launch highlights Robinson’s commitment to innovation and meeting the evolving needs of the aviation industry.

Robinson Helicopter Company has taken a bold step away from its history of producing light helicopters by introducing a completely new model in its lineup: the R88. This helicopter is a single-engine turbine, designed for 10 passengers, and it’s a fresh design with a new type certificate. The first flight could happen as soon as this year, with full certification and entry into service expected later this decade. The company is already accepting orders for the R88, priced at $3.3 million.

The R88 is designed with versatility in mind, capable of carrying up to eight passengers or a 1,800-pound payload, even with full fuel. It is expected to serve various missions, including aerial firefighting, air medical transport, utility work, and passenger transport. The cabin can be reconfigured to suit different tasks, making it an adaptable option for operators.

Currently, Robinson’s largest helicopter in operation is the R66, which can carry up to five passengers and is powered by a 300-shp Rolls-Royce turboshaft engine. The R88, however, boasts a more powerful engine—a Safran Helicopter Engines Arriel 2W—capable of producing 1,000 shp, significantly improving the helicopter’s performance. According to David Smith, President and CEO of Robinson Helicopter, the R88 offers performance and cabin capacity similar to twin-engine helicopters, but with the affordability and simplicity of a single-engine design.

Robinson’s engineers have been working on the R88 for two years, making it a central goal for Smith after taking over leadership of the company from Kurt Robinson in February 2024. “We’ve spoken to many customers to understand their needs, and the R88 is the result of that feedback,” said Smith.

The R88 retains Robinson’s signature two-blade teetering main rotor system, but with an updated design that includes higher disc loading. The blades have been optimized with new components, tip shapes, and noise treatment to enhance performance while reducing noise. The tail rotor, a key element of Robinson’s design, remains in line with the company’s tradition of high margins in various wind conditions, which is a valued feature by customers.

One significant change in the R88’s design is the departure from Robinson's traditional teeter bar single-post cyclic control system, which is a hallmark of the R22, R44, and R66 models. Instead, the R88 features dual controls mounted on the floor in front of each pilot. Smith explained that this change was due to the wide body of the R88, which made the teeter bar system unworkable due to its size and height. The new dual cyclic setup allows for greater flexibility, and it enables each front seat’s controls to be removed, making it easier to carry passengers.

The structural design of the R88 is similar to Robinson’s previous helicopters, with a welded steel frame and aluminum skin, though it will utilize more carbon-fiber composites where the material offers greater benefits. The flight controls will feature dual hydraulics for pitch and roll control, improving overall flight performance. The R88 will also come standard with impact-resistant windshields that meet Part 29 transport helicopter requirements. This feature reflects Robinson’s commitment to safety, as these types of windshields are rare on Part 27 aircraft.

Smith emphasized that safety is a key priority in the R88’s design, especially when it comes to bird-strike resistance. “We want our customers to have the safest possible aircraft, and that’s why bird-strike-resistant windows will be a standard feature,” he said. He believes that this feature sets the R88 apart from its competitors and will help improve industry standards.

The Safran Arriel 2W engine, which powers the R88, will require certification, but it is an update to an existing model. The engine will be derated to ensure operational safety, leaving a margin for performance. The R88’s fuselage will feature a fold-down rear entry door, which makes it easier to load medevac patients, and rear sliding doors for added convenience. The aircraft will also have optional IFR capability, though its cruise speed has not yet been revealed.

Smith highlighted that the ease of operation is a key aspect of the R88. The helicopter is designed for quick startup and shutdown, ensuring that pilots can get airborne efficiently and safely. While the R88’s maximum weight has not been disclosed, it will have a 3,000-pound external load hook option, allowing for heavy lifting capabilities. This makes the R88 competitive with larger helicopters like the Airbus AStar and the Bell 429.

With a projected range of over 350 nautical miles and endurance of more than 3.5 hours, the R88 is well-suited for a variety of missions. Additional options include a utility basket, wire-strike protection kit, and pop-out floats, with high skids available for increased ground clearance. These features enhance the R88’s flexibility, especially for missions like firefighting.

Maintenance for the R88 will follow Robinson’s standard overhaul system, with periodic maintenance events handled at the factory or by qualified service centers. Robinson is committed to keeping the R88’s operating costs manageable, making it a cost-effective choice for operators.

The first R88 flight test article is currently under construction, and Smith is optimistic about its timeline, though he acknowledges that the development process will take time, especially with the first-ever collaboration with Safran on the engine and the integration of Garmin’s avionics suite.

Robinson’s R88 certification process is expected to be relatively fast, with certification typically taking 2.5 to 4 years after the first flight. Smith is confident that the aircraft will be ready for service sooner rather than later, and he anticipates the R88 will attract new customers to the Robinson family.

With an order book now open, the R88 is poised to make a significant impact on the helicopter market, offering an affordable and versatile solution for a variety of missions. Smith is excited about the potential of the R88, noting that launching a new aircraft program is one of the most rewarding aspects of his role. “The team has worked hard on this, and it’s great to partner with Safran and Garmin,” he concluded. The R88 is set to reshape the landscape for single-engine helicopters, offering new possibilities for customers in both the commercial and private sectors.

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Source: ainonline‍