FAA Approves Robinson R66 Empennage Configuration

The change is designed to provide enhanced roll stability during high speed flight.

Thursday, September 07, 2023 at 01:38 PM ET

Verified

Robinson Helicopter Company has received FAA certification for a new empennage configuration for the R66 turbine model. [Courtesy: Robinson Helicopter]

Key Takeaways:

Robinson Helicopter Company has received FAA certification for a new empennage configuration for its R66 turbine model.
This new design features a 4,000-hour TBO symmetrical horizontal stabilizer, replacing the previous 2,000-hour TBO version.
The primary purpose of the updated empennage is to provide enhanced roll stability during high-speed flight.
New FAA-registered R66 production aircraft (starting with S/N 1279) will feature this configuration, with international approvals currently being sought.

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Robinson Helicopter Company has received FAA certification for a new empennage configuration for its R66 turbine model.

Robinson Helicopters, based in Torrance, California, has been building helicopters for the civilian market since 1973. According to the company, the new empennage configuration “replaces the existing 2,000-hour TBO horizontal stabilizer with a 4,000-hour TBO symmetrical horizontal stabilizer mounted on the tail cone and positioned forward of the original.”