Robinson R66 vs. Skyryse One Helicopter – What’s the Difference?
Skyryse One™ replaces the conventional flight controls of an R66 with the SkyOS™ operating system. Replacing these parts with SkyOS reduces over 324 points of potential failure and creates a flying system more simple to learn than traditional avionics, allowing pilots to spend more time flying an aircraft and less time learning dated flight controls.
At first glance, Skyryse One and the Robinson R66 look to be the same helicopter. But once you look beyond the airframe, rotor system, and Rolls Royce RR300 power plant, you will notice some stark differences. Skyryse One is a reimagining of a traditional helicopter, a retrofitted R66 powered by our SkyOS fly-by-wire operating system. Skyryse One will have a supplemental type certificate from the FAA validating the technology and the safety features mentioned below. With Skyryse One, pilots of all skill levels—fixed wing or rotorcraft—can safely fly a helicopter without fear of getting behind the aircraft or becoming disoriented flying into hazardous environments (instrument weather conditions, challenging terrain, busy airspace, etc.).
Simply put, it will be the safest helicopter in aviation, redefining everything from flight training to currency requirements to what it means to be a helicopter pilot. So with that being said, when looking at the R66 vs. Skyryse One, what specific features separate Skyryse One from traditional VFR helicopters?
What makes the Robinson R66 helicopter unique?
Built in Torrance, CA, Robinson Helicopters have been the best selling helicopters in general aviation since the turn of the century. “Robbys” are synonymous with personal helicopter flying and are the point of market entry for many individuals looking for a reliable, private helicopter. For those not privy, the Robinson R66 is Robinson Helicopter’s 3rd generation helicopter and the first and only to offer a turbine powerplant (Rolls Royce RR300). Certified by the FAA in 2010, the R66 helicopter offers great performance with the lowest cost of entry and lowest operational costs of any turbine helicopter available in general aviation.
Robinson R66 vs. Skyryse One
Skyryse One replaces the conventional flight controls of an R66 with our SkyOS operating system. SkyOS is a self-contained fly-by-wire operating system that removes over 100 traditional parts from a Robinson R66 and replaces them with a single control stick and two touchscreens that function as the cyclic, collective, and pedals. Skyryse One is powered by SkyOS and uses triplex electromechanical actuators similar to what’s found on a fighter jet or Airbus. This means the pull tubes and hydraulic systems found in the Robinson R66 have been removed and are not part of Skyryse One. Replacing these parts with SkyOS reduces over 324 points of potential failure and creates a flying system more simple to learn than traditional avionics, allowing pilots to spend more time flying an aircraft and less time learning dated computer systems. Additionally, Skyryse One has a number of industry-first safety features powered by SkyOS, which Skyryse believes will bring aviation fatalities to nearly zero. What safety features are not present in a Robinson R66 vs. Skyryse One?
Automated Autorotation
In 2023, Skyryse set a Guinness World Record for being the first helicopter to perform a fully automated autoration. In the event of an engine-loss, Skyryse One will immediately configure the engine and rotor settings for an autorotation—the pilot simply needs to choose the landing site and time the flare. Autorotations can be one of the most complex maneuvers for new pilots to learn and for current pilots to remain current in. The fact Skyryse One automates and configures the helicopter for an autorotation is an incredible safety feature compared to an R66 or any other helicopter in aviation.
Dynamic Envelope Protection
Full authority fly-by-wire systems, as found on Skyryse One, offer numerous advantages compared to traditional flight management systems. First of which is what Skyryse refers to as our dynamic envelope protection. Dynamic envelope protection ensures that the pilot and the aircraft remain in a safe envelope at all times by continuously processing pilot inputs, environmental conditions, aircraft status, and flight parameters including in the event of engine loss with fully automated autorotation.
Vortex Ring State Protection
One of the primary benefits of Dynamic Envelope Protection is the inability for Skyryse One to end up in Vortex Ring State (VRS). VRS is a hazardous phase of flight where a helicopter loses lift as a result of essentially becoming engulfed in its own wash. The primary cause of VRS is a descent rate too high at low airspeeds. “Settling with power” is often synonymous with vortex ring state but is by definition not the same event. Settling with power—pulling on the collective and adding power while in a significant vortex ring state—is a result that can accelerate or worsen the VRS, not the phenomenon itself. Regardless, SkyOS configures Skyryse One to not enter a VRS-inducing descent rate while at low airspeeds, a feature not present in the Robinson R66.
Hover Assist
Student pilots know full too well the challenges of hovering a helicopter. Pilots of all experience levels can get into the Skyryse One and hover in place while processing other tasks, thanks to the hands-free control of Hover Assist. What traditionally required both hands and feet now just requires a pilot’s command. Skyryse One maintains a stable hover with a single control stick and two touchscreens. Simply put, while a PPL at minimum is required to fly the Skyryse One, the SkyOS operating system dramatically reduces the learning curve for a non-pilot or fixed wing pilot interested in flying a helicopter, while reducing the workload traditional helicopter pilots are accustomed to.
Is Skyryse One just a Robinson R66 with an autopilot?
Skyryse One offers much more than autopilot — it’s a full authority fly-by-wire system that keeps the pilot and aircraft in a safe profile at all times. This is not the function of an autopilot system, which primarily maintains heading and pitch settings of an aircraft when programmed by the pilot. While an autopilot can reduce workloads for pilots, autopilots are not, and have never been the answer to reducing aviation related fatalities. Conversely, there are a number of instances, new and old, where autopilot systems have either disengaged or malfunctioned during flight, causing the aircraft to become unstable or for complacent pilots to lose command.
Skyryse One, powered by SkyOS, is the first operating system for flight that is triply redundant, allowing the pilot to command the aircraft at all times with a system that is always on and always providing protection for whenever pilots need it. This being said, when compared to the Robinson R66, Skyryse One has powerful autoflight capabilities that far exceed the basic 2-axis autopilot on a R66. Using intuitive, plain english controls and indications, pilots can easily and precisely fly flight plan routes and IFR procedures. Before engagement, SkyOS informs the pilot what will happen when engaged, and informs the pilot what it is doing while in this state. No more fumbling with cryptic acronyms and buttons far from the mode indicators, SkyOS offers simple and safe completely hands-free flying.
Automated Engine & Rotor System Protection
Skyryse One’s Automated Engine and Rotor Protection system is a critical safety feature designed to enhance operational safety and empower pilot confidence. It is not available on the R66 or most any helicopter on the market. This feature ensures that pilots neither over-torque or over-temperature the engine, nor can they overspeed the rotor system. By automatically regulating these parameters, the system prevents pilots from making costly mistakes, especially in demanding scenarios where their attention is focused outside the cockpit. This protection is invaluable in maintaining the aircraft’s performance and longevity, ultimately contributing to safer and more reliable flight operations.
Skyryse One vs. IFR Helicopters
Given the simplicity of Skyryse One and its SkyOS flight operating system, flying an IFR flight plan will be much simpler and safer given the ability to fly hands free. Additionally, every IFR helicopter today relies on a single-threaded autopilot system—if it fails, the results are catastrophic. Finally, while several IFR capable helicopters are on the market, we anticipate that Skyryse One will be the only IFR capable helicopter below a price point of two million dollars.
How much does a Robinson R66 cost vs. Skyryse One?
A Robinson R66 outfitted with optional upgrades has a cost of roughly $1,400,000. Individuals looking at a helicopter for sale might see that price vary, but overall, new pilots should expect a Robinson R66 in this range. Skyryse is currently accepting reservations for the Skyryse One at an introductory price of $1,800,000.
Why didn’t Skyryse retrofit the R44 or R22 vs. R66?
As one of the best-selling manufacturers in general aviation, Robinson has a long history of producing reliable helicopters for pilots. The R66 is the only turbine powered Robinson and the Rolls Royce RR300 engine has never failed in flight to date in the fleet. Compared to the R44 and R22, the R66 can carry more load on a lighter airframe. These were just a few of the many factors our team considered as we went to market with the first platform for our SkyOS flight operating system.
Demo Skyryse One
We offer a conforming simulator for pilots of all skill levels to experience the freedom of flying Skyryse One. To request a demo flight or to learn more about securing a position in Skyryse One, you can contact our commercial team here.
