Robinson R88

Robinson Helicopter Company has unveiled its latest innovation, the R88 helicopter, marking a significant expansion of its product line. This new model is designed to meet a diverse range of mission requirements while maintaining the company’s reputation for reliability, affordability, and safety.

Design and Capacity

The R88 is the largest helicopter ever produced by Robinson, featuring a spacious cabin that can accommodate up to eight passengers in the main cabin and two pilots in the cockpit. The cabin offers approximately 275 cubic feet of volume, providing flexibility for various seating configurations and mission-specific layouts. Large sliding doors on each side and a fold-down, truck-bed style rear door facilitate easy access for passengers and cargo, enhancing the helicopter’s versatility.

Performance and Powerplant

Equipped with a single 950-shaft horsepower Safran Arriel 2W engine, the R88 boasts impressive performance metrics. It offers a range exceeding 350 nautical miles and an endurance of over 3.5 hours. The helicopter is expected to have an internal payload capacity of more than 2,800 lbs (1270 Kg), making it suitable for demanding missions such as aerial firefighting, air medical transport, utility work, and passenger transport.

Avionics and Safety Features

The R88 is equipped with an advanced Garmin avionics suite, including large G500H TXi displays and GTN navigators with touchscreen controls. A standard four-axis autopilot enhances operational safety by providing functions such as level mode, hover assist, and low/high-speed protection. Additional safety features include dual hydraulics for critical flight controls, an inlet barrier filter, and impact-resistant windshields certified to Part 29 transport helicopter requirements. New LED exterior lighting, including pulsed landing and taxi lights, further enhance safety during operations.

Controls

Unlike the unique central T-bar cyclic teetering mechanism which made the Robinson cockpit instantly recognizable, the R88 breaks from tradition by using dual, floor-mounted cyclic sticks, one for each pilot seat, much like most other helicopters in its class. The R88’s cabin is significantly wider than that of the R22/R44/R66 family, so a single teetering cyclic in the center simply would not scale up gracefully. According to Robinson’s CEO David Smith, they found that they “couldn’t get the teetering cyclic to work” on the broader airframe – the amount of stick motion required became too large and ungainly.

Maintenance and Support

Robinson has partnered with Safran Helicopter Engines to offer the Arriel 2W Serenity package, included with each R88 purchase. This package provides services such as unscheduled maintenance coverage for five years or 2,000 flight hours, premium health monitoring, and advanced digital services, ensuring predictable maintenance costs and engine availability.

Market Position and Pricing

With a starting price of $3.3 million, the R88 is positioned to disrupt the single-engine helicopter market by offering superior performance and capabilities at a competitive price point. Robinson’s commitment to vertical integration in manufacturing ensures readily available parts and predictable maintenance, addressing key concerns of operators worldwide.

The introduction of the R88 signifies Robinson Helicopter Company’s dedication to evolving with the needs of the aviation industry, providing a versatile and cost-effective solution for a wide range of missions.

For a visual overview of the R88, you can watch the Official Reveal Video.