Mark Huber is an aviation industry veteran who has worked in the flight training, aircraft sales, aircraft component, and airport development businesses. He has flight time in more than 50 different and diverse aircraft, including helicopters, aerobatic aircraft, vintage warbirds, jet fighters, business jets and turboprops, and transport-category aircraft. He has jumped out of several of these—on purpose—with a parachute. His defense and aviation journalism has been published in a variety of national and international periodicals.

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Mark Huber

Robinson Helicopter has received FAA approval for an improved empennage on its R66 single-engine turbine helicopter. According to the company, the new symmetrical horizontal stabilizer is mounted on the tailcone a little farther from the tail rotor than the original, providing enhanced roll stability during high-speed flight. It also has a 4,000-hour TBO—double that of the original&nbsp;horizontal stabilizer.
This configuration is standard on all new-production R66s beginning with S/N 1279. Robinson Helicopter said it is working with civil airworthiness authorities worldwide to obtain foreign validations and, once received, R66s destined for those markets will be delivered with the improved stabilizer.
Company CEO Kurt Robinson told&nbsp;AIN that the enhanced stabilizer “does not alter in any way the authorized flight envelope of the R66,” especially with regard to high-speed flight, avoiding significant turbulence, and prohibitions on low-G maneuvers. However, he said, “Our pilots have found that the aircraft feels more stable at high speeds and in turbulence toward the outer ranges [of the approved flight envelope]. That is what you will notice.”
“Everything we do is to try and increase safety,” Robinson said. He added that the upgraded R66 stabilizer is the latest in a line of standard and optional safety enhancements added to the company’s helicopters. This list includes crash-resistant fuel cells, 4K cockpit cameras, night-vision goggle-compatible cockpits, and autopilots.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

FAA Approves Improved Horizontal Stabilizer for Robinson R66 Helicopters

New R66 horizontal stabilizer improves roll stability

Robinson Helicopter has received FAA certification approval for a new horizontal stabilizer on its R66 single-engine turbine helicopter.

FAA Approves Improved Empennage for Robinson R66

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charlotte Bailey

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Pentagon permission facilitates sale of Bell 412EXP and 407M

U.S. Approves $800M Bell 407/412 Sale to Iraq Military

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

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New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

In this article

Robinson R66

Robinson Helicopter Company

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