Helicopters

Robinson R66

A five-seat turbine helicopter for a pilot and four passengers, with a full-width baggage compartment and air conditioning on the NxG.

PassengersUp to 4

Cruise speed110 kts

Range350 NM

Reviewed by Kevin Singh, Founder · Specifications checked against manufacturer and type certificate data · Last updated 14 September 2026

At a glance

Robinson R66 specifications

Up to 4Passengers

110 ktsCruise speed

350 NMRange

Single turbineEngines

18 cu ftLuggage

1Pilots

Figures are representative of the type; individual aircraft vary with configuration, load and conditions.

Where it fits

The turbine Robinson with a real baggage hold

The Robinson R66 is a five-seat turbine helicopter: one pilot and four passengers. It flies on a Rolls-Royce RR300 rated at 300 shp and derated to 270 shp for takeoff, and the current NxG adds a Garmin glass cockpit, a two-axis autopilot and standard air conditioning.

Behind the cabin sits a full-width 18 cubic foot baggage compartment rated to 136 kg (300 lb), which is unusual in this class. Its hover ceiling is over 10,000 feet in and out of ground effect at maximum weight.

The FAA certified the R66 in October 2010, and Robinson delivered serial number 1,000 in July 2020. By then the fleet had flown over 1.2 million hours without a reported in-flight engine failure.

Not the aircraft for

Parties of more than four, flights in cloud, or long open-water sectors where a second engine matters. The R66 has one engine and is approved for VFR only. For five passengers and three holds the AS350 is the better tool; for a twin, the AS355.

Missions

What the desk books it for

Four passengers with bags

Hotel or villa transfers in the Cyclades from Athens or Mykonos, with luggage in a dedicated aft compartment rather than under the seats.

Mainland to the islands

Athens to Corfu is 214 NM and Athens to Rhodes 218 NM, inside the approximate 350 NM range Robinson publishes. That figure carries no reserve, so the desk plans fuel and weather before it quotes.

Short hops across the Aegean

Mykonos to Porto Cheli at 105 NM and Mykonos to Bodrum at 111 NM, with the cross-border paperwork for Turkey filed alongside the trip.

Warm-weather scenic flights

Air conditioning on the NxG keeps the cabin comfortable on summer sightseeing flights over the islands, the Riviera or Kenya, flown in daylight and good weather.

Where it flies

Routes the desk flies on the R66

Sectors from our Athens and Mykonos route guides that sit inside the R66's published range. Each opens to the airports at both ends and what to know before you fly; the desk confirms the fuel plan and landing sites for the specific aircraft.

ATHCFUAthens to CorfuFlight time50 min to 1 hr 50Distance214 nm ATHRHOAthens to RhodesFlight time55 min to 2 hrDistance218 nm JMKBJVMykonos to BodrumFlight time1 hr 50 with the stopDistance111 nm JMKPKHMykonos to Porto CheliFlight time50 to 60 minDistance105 nm

Cabin and baggage

Five seats, air conditioning and an aft hold

The R66 has five seats: the pilot and four passengers. On the NxG, air conditioning is standard, with an overhead vent for each seat.

Bags go in a full-width aft compartment of 18 cubic feet, rated to 136 kg (300 lb), with four under-seat compartments of up to 23 kg (50 lb) each for smaller items.

Soft bags fit the aft compartment best. Tell the desk the count and rough weights when you enquire, so the load is planned against the passengers before the aircraft is offered.

Performance and airports

Speed, weather and landing sites

Robinson gives a cruise of up to 110 knots at maximum gross weight and a range of approximately 350 NM on 73.6 gallons of fuel, with no reserve. Maximum takeoff weight is 1,225 kg (2,700 lb).

On Greek island and Riviera transfers the sectors are short, so range is rarely the limit. Weather is: the R66 is approved for day and night VFR only, so low cloud or poor visibility can hold a departure.

Villa lawns, hotel pads and private sites each need approval before a helicopter can land there. The desk checks the landing site, the pilot's approvals and the forecast for the specific R66 before a quote goes out.

Compare the class

R66 against the other helicopters

How the R66 lines up against the other helicopters we cover. The R44 is the lighter piston step down, the H120 carries more baggage, and the AS350 and Bell 407 seat more and cruise faster; the R66's case is a turbine, four passengers and a dedicated hold.

Aircraft	Passengers	Range	Cruise	Engines	Luggage
Leonardo A109C	Up to 7	n/a	n/a	Twin turbine	150 kg
Airbus H130	Up to 7	327 NM	128 kts	Single turbine	39 cu ft
Bell 407	Up to 6	337 NM	133 kts	Single turbine	16 cu ft
Airbus AS350 Ecureuil	Up to 5	340 NM	136 kts	Single turbine	35 cu ft
Airbus H135	Up to 6	342 NM	136 kts	Twin turbine	None
Robinson R44	Up to 3	350 NM	109 kts	Single piston	Under-seat only
Robinson R66This aircraft	Up to 4	350 NM	110 kts	Single turbine	18 cu ft
Airbus H120	Up to 4	383 NM	120 kts	Single turbine	28 cu ft
Airbus AS355 Ecureuil 2	Up to 5	395 NM	120 kts	Twin turbine	33 cu ft

Chartering with Icarus Jet

How we charter the R66

We source R66s from operators vetted and approved for passenger transport, and the operator's name is on the quote. The desk checks the pilot's approvals, the landing sites at both ends and the weather minima for the flight before it checks availability, so the aircraft offered is one that genuinely fits the trip.

Quotes are all-in and itemised: aircraft and pilot, positioning, landing and handling, fuel and taxes, with nothing added after the flight that was not on the page. The number depends on where the nearest suitable helicopter is based, the dates and the landing sites, which is why we price your actual trip rather than publish a rate.

Questions

R66 questions the desk gets

How far can an R66 fly?

Robinson publishes approximately 350 NM on 73.6 gallons of fuel, with no reserve. Real flights keep a reserve, so the usable figure is lower. It still covers sectors such as Athens to Corfu at 214 NM.

How many passengers does an R66 carry?

Four, plus the pilot. It is a five-seat helicopter, and the desk asks for passenger and bag weights when you enquire so the load is planned.

What is the seating like?

Five seats in a compact cabin, with air conditioning and an overhead vent for each seat on the NxG. It suits short transfers and scenic flights.

How much luggage fits in an R66?

A full-width aft compartment holds 18 cubic feet and up to 136 kg (300 lb), and four under-seat compartments take up to 23 kg (50 lb) each. Tell the desk the bag count when you enquire.

What is the difference between the R66 and the R44?

The R66 has a turbine engine, five seats and a dedicated aft baggage compartment. The R44 is a four-seat piston helicopter with under-seat baggage only.

Can an R66 fly at night or in cloud?

It is approved for day and night VFR only, so it does not fly in cloud. A low cloud base or poor visibility can delay a flight, and the desk plans a weather call before departure.

What is the R66 NxG?

The NxG is the current production R66, with a Garmin glass cockpit, a two-axis autopilot and air conditioning as standard.

Around the R66

CategoryHelicoptersEvery guide in the class, 4 to 12 seats, island and city.CharterHelicopter charterHow the desk sources and quotes this class of aircraft.Step upAirbus AS350 EcureuilSingle turbine, five passengers, 136 knot fast cruise and three holds totalling 35 cu ft.CollectionAircraft GuidesAll the model guides, from very light jets to ultra long range and helicopters.

Get your number

Charter the R66

Send the route, the dates and the passengers. The desk checks range and baggage against the trip, then comes back with the aircraft that genuinely fit and an itemised quote.

Prefer to talk? Call +1 888 277 7203. The desk is staffed 24/7.

Comparing aircraft? Browse the Aircraft Guides in the Aviation Library, 600+ guides on chartering and operations.