Helicopters Robinson R44: The Robinson R44 is a small light 4 seat piston-driven helicopter produced by the Robinson Helicopter company. Despite looking like the company's earlier R22, the R44 is much larger and faster than it's predecessor. The R44 was designed by company president Frank Robinson, and first flew on March 31st 1990. The type recived FAA Certification in December 1992, with the first deliveries taking place shortly afterwards. Originally, the R44 "Astro" was the main production model, however this was dropped in favour of the hydraulically controlled R44 "Raven" in 2000. Robinson R44 - TYPE: 4-place light piston engined helicopter.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United States
PERIOD BUILT: 1992-
ENGINE: One 260 hp (195 kW) Textron Lycoming O-540 flat six engine.
DIMENSIONS:
Rotor diameter: 33 ft 0 in / 10.03 m.
Length overall: 38 ft 7 in / 11.76 m
Height: 10 ft 9 in / 3.28 m.
WEIGHTS:
Standard empty: 1,400 lb / 635 kg
Max. takeoff: 2,400 lb / 1090 kg
PERFORMANCE:
Cruising speed (75% power): 113 kt / 209 kph
Initial climb: 1000 ft/min
Service ceiling: 14,000 ft
Hovering ceiling: in ground effect 6,400 ft, out of ground effect 5,100 ft.
Max. range (no reserves): 350 nm/ 645 km
ACCOMMODATION: Typically four, with two on a bench seat behind pilot and passenger.
Frank Robinson began design work on his light four place helicopter in 1986, achieving a first flight on 31 May 1990, and FAA certification in December 1992, with production beginning soon after. It resembles th two-seat R22, but is larger, almost as long as the Bell JetRanger. It shares the same basic construction principles as the R22 (which is powered by the Lycoming 0-320, or 0-360 in later versions, both 4 cylinder air cooled engines), both aircraft being designed as efficient, economical and reliable multi purpose machines.
It was originally produced as the R44 Astro. In July 1996 the float-equipped R44 Clipper became available. This was joined by the R44 Police law enforcement model with bulged door windows, searchlight and IR sensor or TV camera in a gyro-stabalised nose turret; the R44 IFR; and the R44 Newscopter with a TV camera in a nose turret. In mid-2000 a new model, the R44 Raven, replaced the Astro in production, and is available in the same modified forms as its successful predecessor.