Robinson R44

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Robinson R44
R44 Raven (carburated version)
Type	Light utility and trainer helicopter
Manufacturer	Robinson Helicopter Company
Designed by	Frank Robinson
Developed from	Robinson R22

The Robinson R44 is a small, light, four-seat, piston-driven civilian helicopter produced by the Robinson Helicopter Company since 1992.

While resembling the company's earlier Robinson R22, the R44 is larger and faster than its predecessor. It also features boosted flight controls, a feature not found on the R-22. The Astro model incorporates electric cyclic trim, whilst the Raven models have hydraulically assisted cyclic and collective controls.

Tail rotor direction of rotation on the R44 is reversed compared to the R22 for improved yaw control authority. On the R44 the advancing blade is on the bottom.

Contents 1 History 2 Variants 2.1 Astro 2.2 Raven 2.3 Clipper 2.4 Police 2.5 Newscopter 3 Specifications (R44 Raven II) 4 External Links 5 Related content 6 Sources

[edit] History

The R44, designed during the 1980s by company president Frank Robinson and his staff of engineers, first flew on March 31, 1990. It was awarded an FAA Type Certificate in December 1992, with the first deliveries taking place shortly thereafter. Originally, the R44 Astro was the main production model, but was dropped in favour of the hydraulically-assisted R44 "Raven" in 2000. The Raven II model (2002 onwards) used a fuel injected engine, tuned induction, Optional Air conditioning, Optional Nigth VFR, 28V electrical system, and extended-chord blades for increased performance.

[edit] Variants

[edit] Astro

This was the main production model from 1992 to 2000

[edit] Raven

This is the current main production model, featuring hydraulic controls. Available as carburated engine (Raven) and fuel injected (Raven II). The Raven II includes the option for Aircon and Night VFR.

[edit] Clipper

An Astro, Raven or Raven II, modified with pop-out or fixed utility floats, for water-borne operations. The pop-out floats, when activated, inflate in approximately 1.3 seconds from a gas supply tank under the passenger seat. The floats are deployed via a lever with an arming pin and breakaway shear pin on the collective. The fixed utility floats are kept inflated allowing for routine water landings. In Clipper with fixed floats, typically only fresh water landings are carried out to avoid drawing salt water spray up into the engine compartment. Pop-out floats are only used for emergency water landings.

[edit] Police

A law enforcement modification of one of the main production models, with a belly-mounted searchlight, a nose gimbal FLIR system, and enlarged windows. Due to weight limiations, the right-rear seat is replaced with an aluminum panel and the helicopter is usable only as a 3-seat aircraft when equipped as a Police variant.

[edit] Newscopter

An ENG (Electronic News Gathering) version of the main production model, modified with a gyro-stabilized nose camera and air-to-ground video transmission capability. Due to weight limitations, the right-rear seat is replaced with an aluminum panel and the helicopter is usable only as a 3-seat aircraft when equipped as a Newscopter variant.

[edit] Specifications (R44 Raven II)

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Capacity: 4
• Payload: 900 lb (408 kg)
• Length: (body only) 21 ft 5 in (9.0 m)
• Rotor diameter: 33 ft (10.1 m)
• Height: 10 ft 9 in (3.3 m)
• Empty weight: 1600 lb (726 kg)
• Loaded weight: 2500 lb (1134 kg)
• Powerplant: 1× Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 6 cylinder, horizontally opposed, direct drive, air cooled, fuel injected, normally aspirated, 5 minute max of 245 bhp (183 kW), max continuous power of 205 bhp (153 kW) ()

Performance

• Never exceed speed: 130 kt (150 mph)
• Maximum speed: 130 kt (240 km/h) (150 mph)
• Cruise speed: 110 kt (127 mph)
• Range: 300 nm (560 km) (345 miles)
• Service ceiling: 14,000 ft density altitude or 9,000 ft above ground level ()

The R44 can use either 100 low lead fuel or 100/130. Main tank holds 30.6 US gallons usable (116 liters), Aux tank holds 18.3 US gallons usable (69 liters). Tail rotor has a diameter of 4 ft 10 in (1.5 m) and the total length of the helicopter from rotor tip to tail is 38 ft 4 in (11.7 m)

[edit] External Links

• Robinson Helicopter Company web site
• Robinson Helicopters Owners Group

[edit] Related content

Related development

• Robinson R22

Comparable aircraft

• Bell Helicopter 206
• MD Helicopters MD 500

Designation sequence

R22 - R44

[edit] Sources

Information listed in the Specifications section is from the Robinson R44 Raven II Pilot's Operating Handbook and FAA approved rotorcraft flight manual, dated June 13, 2005.