Robinson Helicopter Launches R88: A Larger, More Versatile Aircraft

Robinson Helicopter Company, based in Torrance, California, has unveiled its first all-new aircraft model in nearly 15 years—the R88 helicopter. Positioned as a larger, more adaptable option than its popular R22 and R44 models, the R88 is designed to meet a broader range of mission requirements while maintaining Robinson’s reputation for reliability, affordability, and safety.

The R88 is specifically engineered for a variety of roles, including aerial firefighting, air medical/ambulance transport, utility work, and passenger transport. Robinson’s emphasis on adaptability is reflected in the helicopter’s configurable interior, which can be quickly reconfigured to suit various mission needs.

As Robinson’s largest aircraft to date, the R88 can carry up to eight main cabin seats and two cockpit seats, with a payload capacity of up to 1,800 lbs (816 kg) with full fuel. Its cabin volume is approximately 275 cubic feet (7.8 m³), and the helicopter offers a range of over 350 nautical miles (648 km) and more than 3.5 hours of endurance. Additionally, the R88 has an internal payload capacity exceeding 2,800 lbs (1,270 kg) and is powered by a 1,000-shaft horsepower single engine—the Safran Arriel 2W.

The R88’s versatile interior features a flat floor, which supports multiple seating configurations, including forward and club seating arrangements, and configurations suited for air medical and public safety missions. The rear door, designed like a fold-down truck bed, makes cargo loading simpler and can accommodate a full-sized patient stretcher for air medical roles.

For enhanced versatility, the R88 can be fitted with standard skids or optional high skids for increased ground clearance and compatibility with firefighting equipment, such as a water tank. The helicopter also offers optional equipment, including a 3,000-pound HEC-rated cargo hook, utility basket, wire strike protection kit, and pop-out floats.

In the cockpit, the R88 features Garmin avionics with G500H TXi displays and touchscreen controls. A 4-axis autopilot, complete with level mode, hover assist, limit cueing, and speed protection, is standard. The aircraft also includes data recording, a health usage monitoring system (HUMS), and a data link for easier operation and maintenance. The R88 is type-certified for optional single-pilot IFR operations.

Safety is a key consideration in the R88’s design, with dual hydraulics for pitch and roll, ensuring critical flight controls are fully operational. Additional safety features include an inlet barrier filter, impact-resistant windshields meeting Part 29 transport helicopter requirements, and new LED exterior lighting, such as pulse landing and taxi lights, tail rotor lighting, scene lighting, and entry lights.

Priced at $3.3 million in its standard configuration, the R88 represents a significant expansion of Robinson’s product portfolio. It is designed to meet the growing demand for versatile, cost-effective single-engine utility helicopters. According to David Smith, President and CEO of Robinson Helicopter Company, the R88 is poised to disrupt the single-engine helicopter market by offering superior performance and capabilities at a competitive price.

“With the unveiling of the R88, we expect to disrupt the single-engine helicopter market, offering superior performance and capabilities at a competitive price,” Smith said. “As the most vertically integrated manufacturer of helicopters in the world, we have a unique opportunity to provide solutions that no other manufacturer can – a highly capable and affordable helicopter with readily available parts and predictable maintenance. This is exactly what our 10,000+ existing customers have come to expect from Robinson.”

The R88 helicopter is set to make a significant impact in the aviation industry, providing an efficient and adaptable solution for a wide range of missions.

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