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This 10-seat, single-engine turbine powerhouse is confirmed to make its Australian debut at the RotorTech 2026 Vertical Flight Exposition, hosted by the Australian Helicopter Industry Association (AHIA) on the Gold Coast from 6-8 May. As the largest aircraft ever developed by the California-based manufacturer, the R88 is being hailed as the “ute of the sky,” a title that carries significant weight for Australian operators facing some of the most demanding environmental conditions on Earth.
For the Australian market, the R88’s arrival marks a pivot toward a high-capacity, heavy-duty utility asset that remains financially accessible to local operators. Powered by the 950-shaft horsepower Safran Arriel 2W engine, the aircraft offers a large 275-cubic-foot cabin and a flat-floor design that can be reconfigured in minutes. Whether servicing the cattle stations of the Northern Territory or supporting infrastructure projects in the Great Dividing Range, the R88 provides a bridge between light singles and expensive medium twins, offering an internal payload of over 2,800 pounds (1,270 kg) and a range exceeding 350 nautical miles.
In the critical field of aerial firefighting, the R88 is set to become a frontline asset during Australia’s bushfire seasons. The aircraft features optional high-clearance skids specifically designed to accommodate firefighting water tanks, while its 3.5-hour endurance allows for extended time on station during initial attack missions. Beyond the fire line, the helicopter’s versatility extends to agriculture and cattle station duties, where its ability to transport large crews or heavy fencing and supply loads to remote outposts makes it an ideal tool for large-scale property management and mustering support.
The R88’s design also provides solutions for the air medical and law enforcement sectors, which require rapid-response capabilities and specialized equipment. The aircraft includes a unique, “truck-bed style” fold-down rear door that allows for the seamless rear or sideloading of a full-sized HEMS stretcher, effortlessly transferring cargo and patients. For law enforcement and public safety agencies, the large interior provides ample room for tactical workstations and mission equipment, while the standard four-axis Garmin autopilot and impact-resistant windshields ensure a high safety margin during high-stress operations.
In the realm of heavy lift and longline utility work, the R88 is built for the “slinging” missions essential to Australia’s mining and energy sectors. It comes equipped with a 3,000-pound (1,360 kg) rated hook, allowing it to move heavy machinery, solar panels, conduct Human External Cargo (HEC) missions or position telecommunications equipment into remote regions where road access is extremely limited or non-existent. This utility is balanced by a potential executive transport configuration, where the flat floor can be outfitted with club-style seating to move eight passengers in air-conditioned comfort, providing tourism and corporate operators with an unmatched economy of scale.
The R88’s market disruption potential is most evident in its operational economics, offering a 3,000-pound lift capacity and a 10-seat cabin for a starting price of approximately $3.3 million (USD). It outperforms the competition by providing nearly double the cabin volume of current production light-turbine singles while maintaining Robinson’s hallmark ease of maintenance and a cost of ownership that is significantly lower than comparable multi-engine aircraft.
As the industry converges on the RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast this May, the R88 is expected to be the centerpiece of the static display. For the Australian helicopter community, the aircraft represents more than just a new model; it is a versatile, cost-effective solution for the “tyranny of distance” that has long defined Australian aviation.
Learn more about the Robinson R88, visit: https://www.robinsonheli.com/
