Robinson Helicopter Company (RHC) has secured approval for the improved empennage design across all its models of helicopter from EASA as well as the civil aviation authorities of Argentina, Japan, and India and are detailed below:
- All newly manufactured Robinson helicopter models in Europe
- R44 and R66 helicopters in Argentina
- R44 Raven I and R66 helicopters in India
- R22 and R44 helicopters in Japan
These approvals follow on from the US Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) approvals of the same configuration for the R66 in 2023 and R44 and R22 in 2024. The new empennage includes a symmetrical horizontal stabiliser and tailcone, which are now standard on all new Robinsons.
“This is a significant milestone in our commitment to continuous safety, reliability, and customer satisfaction around the world,” said David Smith, President and CEO of RHC. “This certification is a testament to our team’s tireless pursuit in enhancing the Robinson flying experience and setting new standards for safety and performance in the industry.”
According to RHC, the symmetrical horizontal stabiliser enhances the safety and performance of its helicopters by improving roll stability, particularly at the high-speed part of the flight envelope. Additionally, the symmetrical stabiliser helps reduce the right-rolling tendency when the aircraft is operated outside of the approved flight envelope. This assertion was demonstrated to RotorHub International by Robinson test pilot Chris Smith during our demonstration flight in an R66 fitted with the new empennage earlier this year.
In addition to the new builds, the company has also offered retrofit kits for owners of existing aircraft. Since the FAA approval, the company has delivered nearly 700 retrofit kits in addition to about 250 new aircraft with the new empennage. Robinson Helicopter is currently offering a retrofit kit for existing R22, R44, and R66s at a discounted rate of USD 3,600 for the R44 and R66 and USD 4,850 for the R22 till the end of December 2025. The kits can be purchased through authorised dealers, service centres, or Robinson customer service.
Image: RHC
