A helicopter manufactured right here in Torrance is about to become part of the training pipeline for future U.S. Army aviators.

Robinson Helicopter Company's R66 has been selected as the training aircraft for the Army's Initial Entry Rotary-Wing program as part of the military's new Flight School Next program.

The Army selected a team led by M1 Support Services to modernize rotary-wing flight training at Fort Rucker, Alabama. Under the new contractor-owned, contractor-operated system, Robinson's American-made R66 will replace aircraft used in the Army's legacy training fleet.

For Torrance, this is more than a military procurement story.

Robinson designs and manufactures its helicopters in Torrance, so the company's participation in a long-term Army flight-training program has the potential to support production and skilled aerospace employment locally.

The R66 is a five-seat turbine helicopter already used around the world for training, transportation, utility work and other missions. Now it will help introduce future Army helicopter pilots to rotary-wing flying.

For a city with a long aviation history, it's a fitting milestone: the next generation of Army helicopter pilots will begin their training in aircraft built in Torrance.

Article Link: Robinson Helicopter — Flight School Next Announcement