R22 Beta II vs R66 Turbine
The R66 Turbine leads, topping 6 of 7 compared metrics.
The Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta II (introduced 1985) and the Robinson Helicopter R66 Turbine (introduced 2010) are two aircraft buyers regularly weigh against each other. Both are helicopters, which makes them natural cross-shopping rivals. The clearest separation between them is cabin capacity, where the R66 Turbine carries more passengers. undefined
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R22 Beta II vs R66 Turbine: the key differences
- The R66 Turbine delivers 84% more range (R22 Beta II: 190 nm; R66 Turbine: 350 nm).
- The R66 Turbine delivers 15% more cruise speed (R22 Beta II: 96 kt; R66 Turbine: 110 kt).
- The R66 Turbine delivers 150% more passenger capacity (R22 Beta II: 2 seats; R66 Turbine: 5 seats).
- The R66 Turbine is the newer design (introduced 2010 versus 1985 for the R22 Beta II), a gap of 25 years that usually shows up in avionics, cabin systems and fuel burn.
- The R66 Turbine is the larger aircraft by maximum takeoff weight (2,700 lbs versus 1,370 lbs), which typically buys more cabin and payload at the cost of higher trip economics.
Which mission suits which aircraft
Both aircraft are built for short-haul and regional hops, so outright range rarely separates them — the call leans on cabin (the R66 Turbine seats more), trip economics and what is actually available on the market. Match the airframe to how you fly most weeks, not to the headline range figure.
Which should you choose?
On published specifications the R66 Turbine leads on both range and cabin capacity, so it suits operators who want maximum mission flexibility from a single airframe. The R22 Beta II can still be the smarter buy on acquisition cost, operating economics, runway performance, or current availability — the factors that rarely show up in a spec sheet. Our acquisition advisory team can model both against your actual mission profile before you commit.
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R22 Beta II vs R66 Turbine: FAQs
Which has the longer range, the R22 Beta II or the R66 Turbine?
The R66 Turbine has the longer published range — 350 nm versus 190 nm for the R22 Beta II.
Does the R22 Beta II or R66 Turbine seat more passengers?
The R66 Turbine carries more passengers at maximum configuration — up to 5 seats, compared with 2 on the R22 Beta II.
Which is faster, the R22 Beta II or the R66 Turbine?
The R66 Turbine cruises faster, at 110 kt versus 96 kt for the R22 Beta II.
Which is newer, the R22 Beta II or the R66 Turbine?
The R66 Turbine is the newer design, introduced in 2010 versus 1985 for the R22 Beta II.
Is the R22 Beta II or the R66 Turbine the larger aircraft?
By maximum takeoff weight the R66 Turbine is the larger aircraft — 2,700 lbs versus 1,370 lbs for the R22 Beta II.
Should I buy the R22 Beta II or the R66 Turbine?
On published specifications the R66 Turbine leads on both range and cabin capacity, so it suits operators who want maximum mission flexibility from a single airframe. The R22 Beta II can still be the smarter buy on acquisition cost, operating economics, runway performance, or current availability — the factors that rarely show up in a spec sheet. Our acquisition advisory team can model both against your actual mission profile before you commit.
Still weighing up the R22 Beta II vs R66 Turbine?
Specs only take you so far. Our advisors give an independent recommendation based on your mission, budget and how you actually fly — and represent your side through to purchase.