From today's COPT-R social media post - explaining the end of Bell 206 based primary training and justification for choosing the Robinson R66...
Today marks the graduation of U.S. Navy COPT-R Class 19 - and a historic milestone for military rotary-wing training.
With the Navy’s final flight of the TH-57 SeaRanger on September 19, 2025, Helicopter Institute made a deliberate decision to ensure long-term training continuity. That meant moving away from the Bell 206B platform and identifying a more appropriate helicopter to carry the mission forward. Given the decades-long legacy of the Bell 206 in U.S. military training, this was no easy task.
After an in-depth evaluation of every viable training helicopter available today - placing emphasis on training quality, reliability, and affordability - the Robinson R66 was selected.
For our military training operations, including the U.S. Army IERW Demo Program in Marianna, Florida, the R66 is operated as the TH-66®, reflecting unique cockpit configurations and mission-specific equipment not found on the standard production aircraft.
Today, however, we pause to honor history.
We celebrate the final Navy COPT-R class to graduate in the Bell 206B, highlighted by the final solo flight in our trusted workhorse N107LH - better known as SAGE 23. As a parting tribute, each student in Class 19 was presented with a signed piece of an actual Bell 206B SAGE main rotor blade - bearing the names of the Helicopter Institute instructors and staff who supported them throughout their journey.
The Bell 206 has been a true workhorse, shaping the skills of thousands of U.S. military aviators. These young Naval aviators now carry a unique and permanent distinction: the final class of Bell 206-trained military pilots. That legacy matters.
We extend our sincere thanks to Robinson Helicopter Company for delivering a training helicopter capable of fulfilling - and in many cases improving upon - the full range of Bell 206 training missions. As Bell is not currently supporting military initial training, and the Bell 505 did not meet HI COPT-R requirements for this role, RHC’s commitment to building safe, high-quality helicopters aligned with customer needs has proven essential.
The TH-66® embodies that mission, and the U.S. Navy COPT-R program is now positioned to benefit from a modern, capable training helicopter for years to come.
Congratulations to COPT-R Class 19.
History made. The mission continues.
Today marks the graduation of U.S. Navy COPT-R Class 19 - and a historic milestone for military rotary-wing training.
With the Navy’s final flight of the TH-57 SeaRanger on September 19, 2025, Helicopter Institute made a deliberate decision to ensure long-term training continuity. That meant moving away from the Bell 206B platform and identifying a more appropriate helicopter to carry the mission forward. Given the decades-long legacy of the Bell 206 in U.S. military training, this was no easy task.
After an in-depth evaluation of every viable training helicopter available today - placing emphasis on training quality, reliability, and affordability - the Robinson R66 was selected.
For our military training operations, including the U.S. Army IERW Demo Program in Marianna, Florida, the R66 is operated as the TH-66®, reflecting unique cockpit configurations and mission-specific equipment not found on the standard production aircraft.
Today, however, we pause to honor history.
We celebrate the final Navy COPT-R class to graduate in the Bell 206B, highlighted by the final solo flight in our trusted workhorse N107LH - better known as SAGE 23. As a parting tribute, each student in Class 19 was presented with a signed piece of an actual Bell 206B SAGE main rotor blade - bearing the names of the Helicopter Institute instructors and staff who supported them throughout their journey.
The Bell 206 has been a true workhorse, shaping the skills of thousands of U.S. military aviators. These young Naval aviators now carry a unique and permanent distinction: the final class of Bell 206-trained military pilots. That legacy matters.
We extend our sincere thanks to Robinson Helicopter Company for delivering a training helicopter capable of fulfilling - and in many cases improving upon - the full range of Bell 206 training missions. As Bell is not currently supporting military initial training, and the Bell 505 did not meet HI COPT-R requirements for this role, RHC’s commitment to building safe, high-quality helicopters aligned with customer needs has proven essential.
The TH-66® embodies that mission, and the U.S. Navy COPT-R program is now positioned to benefit from a modern, capable training helicopter for years to come.
Congratulations to COPT-R Class 19.
History made. The mission continues.