Robinson R22 vs Robinson R66

The Robinson R22 and R66 Turbine sit at opposite ends of Robinson Helicopter Company's lineup — but they're united by the same Torrance, California engineering culture and the same founder's obsession with mechanical simplicity and low cost. The R22 Beta II is a two-seat piston helicopter with a Lycoming O-320 engine, the world's most widely used flight training helicopter, and the aircraft more professional helicopter pilots first touched the controls in than any other. The R66 Turbine is a five-seat turbine-powered machine with a Rolls-Royce RR300 engine — a completely different tier of helicopter capability that Robinson introduced in 2010 to expand beyond the piston market. The cross-shop comes from buyers who love Robinson's reliability and value proposition and want to know: is the jump to turbine worth making here?

Live Market Snapshot

Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · re-checked on a rolling daily cycle

Robinson R22
For sale now
147
Median asking
$107,000
Range
$39,000–$377,766
Model years available
1984–2026
Robinson R66
For sale now
80
Median asking
$880,000
Range
$580,650–$1,565,200
Model years available
2011–2026

Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.

Safety Record

Absolute counts scale with fleet size — the most-produced types log more events without being less safe. Compare the % fatal.

NTSB (1982–now)Robinson R22Robinson R66
All events52040
Serious474
Fatal11223
Fatalities15744
% Fatal22%58%
View full Robinson R22 NTSB record →View full Robinson R66 NTSB record →

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Robinson R22 Robinson R66
Robinson R22
View 7 listings →
Median $107,000
 Robinson R66
View 74 listings →
Median $880,000
Price Range $39,000 – $377,766 $580,650 – $1,565,200
Category Piston Helicopters Single Turbine Helicopter
Model Specifications
Seats 2 5
Horsepower 124 HP 270 HP
Cruise Speed 96 kts (178 km/h) 110 kts (204 km/h)
Range 209 nm (387 km) 350 nm (648 km)
Service Ceiling 14,000 ft (4,267 m) 14,000 ft (4,267 m)
Max Gross Weight 1,370 lbs (621 kg) 2,700 lbs (1,225 kg)
Useful Load 454 lbs (206 kg) 1,100 lbs (499 kg)
Fuel Capacity 17.0 gal (64 L) 74.0 gal (280 L)
Fuel Burn 10.0 GPH (38 L/h) 23.0 GPH (87 L/h)
TBO 2,200 hrs 2,200 hrs
Overhaul Cost $60,000 $200,000
Annual Fixed $15,000 $35,000
Hourly Variable $140 $300
Engines 1 x Piston 1 x Turboshaft

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Robinson R22

Fuel$55/hr
Variable$140/hr
Annual Fixed$15,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $43,000/yr

Robinson R66

Fuel$126/hr
Variable$300/hr
Annual Fixed$35,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $95,000/yr

Which Should You Buy: Robinson R22 or Robinson R66?

Bottom line: Choose the R22 for flight training, low-cost local utility operations, and any mission where two seats and piston economics are sufficient. The R22's 8 gph fuel burn and well-established training infrastructure make it the most cost-effective way to build helicopter hours on a quality product. Choose the R66 when five seats, turbine power, and altitude performance define the mission. The RR300 turbine provides meaningfully better hot-and-high performance than the R22's piston — and the five-seat capacity opens commercial and tourism operations the R22 cannot address. Safety axis: the R66's turbine engine provides the fundamental reliability advantage of turbine technology — lower vibration, better TBO statistics, and the absence of ignition and carburetor ice risks that require discipline in piston helicopter operations. Robinson's required safety course (the Robinson Safety Course) is essential for both aircraft; R22 pilots specifically should be aware of mast-bumping risk in low-G flight — a specific Robinson dynamic that the Safety Course addresses directly.

Pick the R22 if…

  • Budget matters — from $39,000 vs $580,650, you save ~$541,650.
  • Lower operating cost — ~$140/hr vs $300/hr.

Pick the R66 if…

  • More seats — 5 vs 2.
  • Faster cruise — 110 kts vs 96 kts.
  • Longer range — 350 nm vs 209 nm.
  • Newer design — production from 2010 vs 1979.
  • More inventory — 74 listings vs 7.

Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Robinson low-G / mast-bumping risk?
Robinson piston helicopters (R22 and R44) use a semi-rigid two-blade main rotor with a teetering hub design. In low-G flight (pushover maneuvers where fuselage weight momentarily reduces rotor loading), the main rotor can flap and contact the mast — causing catastrophic structural failure. This risk is specific to teetering-rotor designs and has been a factor in a number of Robinson accidents. The Robinson Safety Course specifically trains pilots to avoid low-G scenarios, and CFIs are encouraged to teach the recovery from accidental pushover inputs. The R66's semi-rigid rotor has similar considerations; the Safety Course applies to all Robinson aircraft.
How does the R66 compare to the R44 Raven?
The R44 Raven (four-seat piston) sits between the R22 and R66. The R66 replaces the R44's piston engine with the Rolls-Royce RR300 turbine, adds one seat, and delivers substantially better high-altitude performance. Many operators who need five seats or hot-and-high capability compare the R66 directly to the R44 — the R66's turbine is the decisive differentiator for demanding operations. For mild-climate, low-elevation four-seat operations, the R44 Raven II is often more cost-effective than the R66.
Is the Robinson R66 certified for IFR flight?
No. Like all Robinson helicopters, the R66 is certified for VFR operations only. Instrument flight operations require an IFR-certified helicopter with appropriate vacuum/electrical systems and FAA-approved autopilot and navigation equipment — the R66 does not carry this certification. Helicopter IFR operations are primarily the domain of larger commercial and military aircraft.
Which is better, Robinson R22 or Robinson R66?
It depends on your mission and budget. The R22 cruises at 96 kts with 209 nm range. The R66 cruises at 110 kts with 350 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Robinson R22: from $305,510. Robinson R66: from $820,000. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Robinson R22 and Robinson R66?
R22 engine: Lycoming O-320 (124 hp). R66 engine: Rolls-Royce RR300 (270 hp). Seats: 2 vs 5. Cruise: 96 vs 110 kts. Range: 209 vs 350 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
R22: about $140/hr variable cost. R66: about $300/hr variable cost. Variable cost includes fuel, reserves and overhaul accruals. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, annual inspection) add to the total.
Which has more seats and useful load?
R22: 2 seats / 454 lb useful load. R66: 5 seats / 1,100 lb useful load. Useful load = max gross weight minus empty weight; it determines how much fuel plus payload you can carry.
How does maintenance compare — TBO and overhaul cost?
R22: 2,200-hour TBO, overhaul ~$60,000. R66: 2,200-hour TBO, overhaul ~$200,000. Reaching the time-between-overhaul (TBO) triggers a mandatory engine/airframe rebuild that affects resale value.
Disclaimer: All prices and cost estimates are from third-party sources for informational purposes only. Always obtain professional appraisal and inspection before purchase.
Prices re-checked on a rolling cycle — most within a few days · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data