Robinson R66 police helicopter obtains FAA certification
TORRANCE, Calif., 28 Sept 2012. Robinson Helicopter Co., a manufacturer of civil helicopters, has received FAA certification for the R66 Turbine police helicopter. Robinson's R66 police model is specially configured for law enforcement and meets the latest FAA crashworthiness regulations.
The R66 Police helicopter combines R66 power, altitude performance, and capacity with a new surveillance system. Turn-key ready, the R66 police comes standard with FAA-approved technology including the FLIR Ultra 8000 thermal imaging camera, a 10-inch fold down color monitor, the new Spectrolab SX-7 searchlight with 30-million candlepower, and a dual audio controller.
The R66 is Robinson's largest and most powerful helicopter. The R66 Turbine has a two-bladed rotor system, T-bar cyclic, and an open interior cabin configuration. Robinson also offers versions of the R66 with floats, as well as an external cargo hook.
Robinson believes the price of $1.1 billion and simplified maintenance schedule will appeal to police agencies both large and small. The first production R66 Police Helicopter will be delivered in October of this year to Southern California's Fontana Police Department. Fontana is the lead agency in a four city alliance and has used Robinson R44 Police helicopters since 2005.
For performance, the R66 Police Helicopter features a cruise speed of up to 138 mph, a payload of 800 lbs with full fuel, and a hover ceiling OGE at max gross weight of 10,000 ft.
Robinson will continue expanding the R66 line with an electric news gathering version and a float version, both of which are targeted for release in 2013.
