Robinson R66 Helicopter Charter in Australia

In terms of the best aircraft for helicopter tours, charters, transfers and more, the Robinson R66 is one of the most popular helicopters in the Rotor One fleet.

Capable of carrying four passengers and powered by a Rolls Royce RR300 Turboshaft engine, it features excellent speed, performance, versatility, and comfort.

Introducing the Robinson R66 Helicopter

The Robinson R66 is a five-seat helicopter with enough room for four passengers, making it ideal for smaller groups or individuals that require fast corporate transfers, private charters, or scenic flights and tours.

Originally built by the Robinson Helicopter Company and outfitted with a high-powered Rolls Royce Engine, this machine is capable of flying well over 500 kilometres at over 204 kilometres per hour. Its passenger payload of 380 kilograms is impressive as well.

A standout feature of this model is the dedicated rear cargo locker for storage and baggage, something that previous and smaller Robinson helicopter models did not come with. Thanks to its Garmin glass avionics, intuitive controls, and a quiet and spacious cabin, the R66 is a favourite among flight schools, scenic tour companies, charter services, and more.

History of the R66

The R66 is the next step up from the R44 and the R22, respectively. The company designed this model with the intent to compete with other light turbine helicopters, such as those from Airbus and Bell. The R66 was first announced in 2007 and had its first flight on November 7, 2007.

This was the first time that the Robinson Helicopter Company had produced a turbine helicopter.

Full-scale production of the R66 begin in 2010, and since its inception there have been over 1,500 units delivered worldwide as of 2024.

Robinson has various versions of this helicopter, with the R66 Marine, R66 Police, and R66NxG being popular models, especially as far as high-tech equipment for professional services are concerned.

Who Makes the Robinson R66?

The R66 aircraft is made by the Robinson Helicopter Company, which is an American aerospace company based in California. It was founded by Frank Robinson in the early 1970s, and has since become a world-leading manufacturer of civil helicopters known for their reliability, affordability, versatility, and low maintenance requirements. To ensure high quality designs and optimal safety, all helicopters are designed, engineered, and assembled in house.

Robinson R66 Technical Specifications and Amenities

The R66 build upon the success that the R44 has seen, but with turbine power, improved altitude performance, more space, and greater range.

The Engine

The R66 features a Rolls Royce RR300 Turboshaft engine, an upgrade from the R44's piston engines. This allows for much better performance in all conditions, allowing this aircraft to perform well in various situations. As you'll see below, this engine allows the R66 to fly at great speeds and distances.

Cruising Speed and Range

The R66 has an operational range of 530 kilometres on a full tank, and it can travel at a speed of up to 204 kilometres per hour. Due to its turbine engine, it's able to maintain high-speed flight over great distances, all without sacrificing comfort.

What this means is that the R66 is the perfect option for travelling fairly long distances in short periods of time, making it ideal for helicopter transfers, charters, and tours alike. In terms of overall efficiency, the R66 is a helicopter of choice for many companies.

Capacity

The R66 often features comfortable leather seats, particularly the models found in the Rotor One fleet. This means that all passengers can sit in comfort for the duration of the flight.

In terms of crew and passengers, this model has enough space for the pilot and four passengers.

The five seat configuration makes this model ideal for small groups and individuals who require priority travel without the wait. Moreover, the R66 has a dedicated cargo compartment with enough capacity for up to 140 kilograms of gear or luggage.

Therefore, for anyone who needs to attend a business conference, wedding, or wants to go for a weekend getaway, there is ample space for baggage. Overall, the R66 can hold up to 340 kilograms of passengers.

The Interior

The R66 is certainly more luxurious than any form of ground travel, and that's thanks to not only the great speed of the helicopter, but also the interior cabin and the comfort it affords its passengers.

With a quiet and spacious cabin combined with panoramic windows for a great view, this is not just a form of transportation, but an experience in itself.

Robinson R66 Typical Use Cases

Due to the great versatility, speed, and comfort of the R66, it's a popular model for a number of purposes, as seen below.

Scenic Helicopter Tours

One of the most popular uses of the R66 is for scenic tours. Rotor One operates scenic flights out of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and more, where clients get to experience sightseeing in a whole new way. The R66 allows you to sit in your seat and enjoy the view while the pilot provides commentary on what you see below.

Winery Flights

Another popular use for the R66 is for winery flights and tours, such as those to Yarra Valley and Hunter Valley.

Yes, winery tours are great, but sometimes you might consume a little too much to safely operate a vehicle, in which case having your own private airborne chauffeur is always a good idea.

This is about getting to experience the best tastes that Australia has to offer in the best possible way.

Corporate Transfers

Yet another common use for the Robinson R66 is for corporate transfers. When you're a busy executive, VIP, or professional who needs to get to a destination in a fast and reliable manner, Rotor One heli transfers with the R66 ensure that you get to your destination quickly and comfortably.

Rotor One also features airport transfers in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and the surrounding areas, making it easy to get to and from regional and major airports.

Private Charters

The next most common use for the R66 is private, which Rotor One also offers. Whether you're in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, or any of the surrounding areas, you can reserve the Robinson R66 for a private charter.

Private charters can take you from any of these major cities to regional areas, whether this be the Hunter Valley or Blue Mountains from Sydney, or the Yarra Valley or Mornington Peninsula from Melbourne. Booking a private charter allows you to fly in style and get to your destination without hassle.

Light Utility Work

The Robinson R66 is also well-known for being quite the workhorse. It's often used for light utility work moving gear, aerial filming, basic transport, surveillance, and other such purposes.

Booking a Robinson R66 Charter With Rotor One

If you are interested in flying in the R66, Rotor One offers a number of options that let you do just that. From airport transfers and private charters to scenic flights and more, Rotor One is the number one company at this time.

All machines in the fleet, whether the R66 or otherwise, are perfectly maintained with pre-flight checks and in-depth maintenance every 50 flight hours. All pilots and crew are fully licensed, trained, and authorised to fly helicopters for tour and charter purposes.

Rotor One also has a bad weather guarantee, which states that if a flight has to be cancelled due to poor weather, the flight can be rescheduled free of cost or fully refunded.