Robinson Helicopter’s R88 to make overseas debut at European Rotors

Robinson Helicopter Company (RHC) will showcase its all-new R88 helicopter for the first time outside the USA at the European Rotors VTOL Show and Safety Conference in Cologne, Germany, from 18–20 November (booth #1712).

Unveiled at Verticon in Dallas in March, the R88 marks Robinson’s first new model in nearly 15 years and represents a major expansion of its product line. The aircraft is currently undergoing certification testing under an all-new type certificate.

RHC has secured over 150 orders globally, with a starting price of US$3.3 million for the highly equipped standard configuration. Dealers will be able to place deposits during the show.

“With the R88, we aim to disrupt the market by offering superior performance and capability at a competitive price,” said David Smith, President and CEO of RHC. “Our integrated manufacturing allows us to provide a highly capable, stylish, and affordable helicopter with readily available parts and predictable maintenance.”

Powered by Safran’s 1,000shp Arriel 2W engine – part of a family with over 66 million flight hours – the R88 comes bundled with Safran’s Serenity service package at no extra cost. The plan covers unscheduled removals and includes health monitoring for five years or 2,000 flight hours. Further details will be shared during a joint presentation on 18 November at 10:30am.

Smith added: “We are making significant strides in the R88 development program, and the momentum here in Torrance is building. Having Safran development staff on site is critical… Our engineering team is focused on building the first flight aircraft now, which will culminate in the R88’s first flight in 2026.”

The R88 seats up to 10 (eight in the cabin, two in the cockpit), carries an 1,800lb payload with full fuel, and offers over 350NM of range. Standard features include a Garmin G500H TXi suite, 4-axis autopilot, dual hydraulics, and impact-resistant windshields. Its flat-floor cabin, fold-down rear door, and dual-control design support multiple configurations, including single-pilot IFR certification.

In July, RHC exhibited the R88 at APSCON/APSCON Unmanned 2025.