Five-seat light turbine helicopter · Private helicopters · production 2010–present · See its reach on the 3D globe
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A Robinson R66 Turbine costs approximately $1.2m (€1.11m) to $1.44m (€1.33m) to buy at 2026 market values, and about $148k (€137k) a year to own flying 80 hours, roughly $1,855 (€1,718) per flight hour all-in. It seats 5, cruises at 110 kt (127 mph) and has a published range of 350 nm (648 km). Figures are indicative planning estimates compiled 2026-07, not a quote for any specific airframe.
The R66 answers the R44's biggest limitation, piston performance, with a Rolls-Royce RR300 turbine, a fifth seat and a proper baggage compartment, all on Jet A. It flies with margin the piston Robinsons never had, and it is the natural step up for owners who have outgrown an R44. The catch is cost: turbine hot-section reserves, higher insurance and turbine-rated maintenance make low annual utilisation expensive per hour. It rewards owners who fly enough to spread those fixed turbine costs.
First-party reference values for this model. They are shown separately from PlaneFit planning estimates and do not enter Finder or cross-model rankings until each field is normalised across the catalogue.
| Maximum takeoff weight | 1,225 kg |
|---|---|
| Useful load | 640 kg |
| Maximum operating altitude | 14,000 ft |
| Engine | Rolls-Royce RR300, 270 shp takeoff / 224 shp continuous |
Indicative planning data, compiled 2026-07. Verify against the AFM and records.
| Seats | 5 |
| Realistic payload with mission fuel | 1,027 lb (466 kg) |
| Published planning range | 350 nm (648 km) |
| Practical planning radius (4 people) | 234 nm (433 km) |
| Cruise speed | 110 kt (127 mph) |
| Runway need | Vertical |
| Landing gear | Skids |
| Pressurised | No |
| Fuel | Jet A-1 |
| Fixed annual base | $81k (€75k) |
| Direct cost per flight hour | $842 (€780) |
Useful turbine performance and five seats, but Rolls-Royce engine reserves and insurance make low-utilization ownership expensive.
Indicative cash costs at 2026 market values, before financing, depreciation and tax. The fixed base is the same whether the aircraft flies or not, so the effective hourly cost falls as utilisation rises.
| Annual use | Annual cash cost | Effective cost / h | Five-year cash outlay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 h / year | $115k (€106k) | $2,867 (€2,655) | $1.88m (€1.74m) |
| 80 h / year | $148k (€137k) | $1,855 (€1,718) | $2.05m (€1.9m) |
| 120 h / year | $182k (€169k) | $1,517 (€1,405) | $2.22m (€2.05m) |
| 180 h / year | $233k (€215k) | $1,292 (€1,197) | $2.47m (€2.29m) |
Every figure above is built from a $81k (€75k) fixed annual base, covering hangarage, insurance, scheduled maintenance reserves and recurring airworthiness costs, plus $842 (€780) per hour flown for fuel, reserves and consumables. It is a planning model for comparing aircraft and testing utilisation, not a maintenance programme quote, insurance quote or pre-buy assessment.
Older examples add calendar-driven maintenance: a 2011-built airframe is estimated at $162k (€150k) per year at 80 hours. Airframe and engine time, maintenance and damage history, avionics, equipment, geography and tax treatment move a real transaction further than the model year does, so price the aircraft in front of you, not the model. A cheaper example carrying deferred maintenance can be the more expensive aircraft once the first annual inspection is complete.
Robinson R66 Turbine cost guide answers the same figures as standalone purchase and ownership questions, and the ownership cost calculator lets you replace these assumptions with your own hours and fixed costs.
On top of a pilot certificate, this aircraft obliges the person flying it to hold the following. Each one is time and money before the first trip, and insurers usually attach their own minimums on top.
US requirements under 14 CFR 61.31, stated for orientation and not as advice. PlaneFit is not an aviation authority or a training organisation. Other authorities set different rules, and the current regulation and your instructor are what govern.
An indicative 2026 market price for a Robinson R66 Turbine is $1.2m (€1.11m) to $1.44m (€1.33m). This is a planning estimate normalised across the market, not a quote for a specific airframe. Condition, engine time remaining, avionics and damage history move the real number more than the model year does.
Flying 80 hours a year, a Robinson R66 Turbine works out at roughly $148k (€137k) annually, which is about $1,855 (€1,718) per flight hour all-in once fixed costs are spread across those hours. The direct cost per hour alone, covering fuel, reserves and consumables, is about $842 (€780).
Published range is 350 nm (648 km). With 4 people aboard and realistic reserves, plan on a practical radius of about 234 nm rather than the brochure figure.
Beyond a pilot certificate, a Robinson R66 Turbine requires rotorcraft-helicopter rating. A helicopter category and class rating on your pilot certificate. Fixed-wing time does not transfer, and most owners reach this type through a full course rather than an add-on. These are US requirements and are stated for orientation; confirm them against the current regulation and an instructor.
Robinson R66 Turbine is a helicopter and needs no runway, but landing permissions and component-life maintenance dominate its real-world utility.
Direct comparisons against the models buyers most often weigh against this one.