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Rolls-Royce RR300 to power new Robinson helicopter

 

2 Mar 2007 , Orlando, FL : Rolls-Royce, a world-leading provider of power systems and services, will supply a new turboshaft engine to power Robinson Helicopter Company’s new R66 rotorcraft, it was announced today at Heli Expo.

 

The new RR300 engine represents a major step forward in the helicopter industry by providing 300 shaft horsepower at takeoff, excellent hot and high performance and outstanding value. The RR300 makes Rolls-Royce turbine power available in the lower shp range.

 

The new R66 model, a five-seater, is Robinson Helicopter Company’s first venture into gas turbine-powered rotorcraft and will complement the company’s existing line of piston-powered aircraft.

 

Rolls-Royce expects FAA type certification by 2008 with full-rate production to follow. Under the agreement with Robinson Helicopter, Rolls-Royce will provide several hundred RR300 engines in upcoming years.

 

Rolls-Royce is the world-leading producer of light turbine engines in the helicopter market. The Model 250 line has produced nearly 30,000 engines, with approximately 16,000 currently in service worldwide in a wide range of aircraft styles.

 

The RR300 embodies new technology and advanced design methodology. The engine draws on the proven record of other Rolls-Royce turbine powerplants to deliver a powerful, dependable engine at a competitive price.

 

Key attributes of the RR300 include: lower acquisition and operating costs; low-weight, compact design; improved specific fuel consumption; an embedded engine monitoring system; and an optional, through-life, peace-of-mind maintenance program.

 

The new aircraft deal brings together two industry-leading rotorcraft companies.

 

Scott Crislip, President Helicopters & Small Gas Turbine Engines for Rolls-Royce, said, “We are honored to join with Robinson Helicopter Company on its first turbine-powered aircraft, the R66. We anticipate a great future partnership on this industry-changing aircraft. The RR300 engine represents the latest technology in turbine power and once again Rolls-Royce is leading the way. You will see big things from this small engine.”

 

Robinson Helicopter Company is the world's leading producer of civil helicopters and is known for its high performance, reliable aircraft.

 

Founded by Frank Robinson, the company sold 806 rotorcraft in 2005, the most civil helicopter sales of any company in the previous 25 years. The company has produced more than 7,000 helicopters overall.

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this is all that I could find....

 

Mar 3 - Robinson Helicopter launched R66 program at Heli-Expo. Two-blade rotor, about 8in wider than R44 Raven II, stability augmentation system, less than a million dollars.

 

Robinson Helicopter Company is testing parts and will assemble a prototype in a year or two of a five-place R66 helicopter, company founder Frank Robinson said. It will be powered by a Rolls-Royce turbine engine and is intended as a replacement for older Bell JetRanger aircraft nearing lifetime limits. It will look much like the present R44 four-passenger helicopter and have a dedicated baggage compartment. Robinson was coy on the cost, saying it would be less than $1 million but more than the R44's cost of $400,000. It will have a two-blade rotor that will be mounted 8 inches higher than that on the R44 in order to handle center-of-gravity issues created by the larger design

 

Frank Robinson told a packed briefing room at Heli-Expo 2007 that Robinson Helicopter Co. is developing a five-seat, turbine-powered helicopter to capture the market for replacing the oldest Bell 206 JetRangers. The aircraft won’t be on the market for 3-5 years. Robinson didn’t say much more than that the aircraft will use a new Rolls-Royce Model 300 turbine engine, which that manufacturer is to unveil today. What will the new aircraft’s performance and price be? Robinson’s answer to those and most other questions about the aircraft specifics was, “Somewhere between the R44 Raven 2 and the JetRanger.” His reticence frustrated some in the room who have long awaited the turbine Robinson

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