Robinson R44

Infobox Aircraft
name= R44


caption=R44 Raven (carburated version)
type=Light utility and trainer helicopter
manufacturer=Robinson Helicopter Company
designer=Frank Robinson
first flight=March 31, 1990
introduced=1992
retired=
status=
primary user=
more users=
produced=
number built=
unit cost= from $375,000
developed from = Robinson R22
variants with their own articles = Robinson R66

The Robinson R44 is a small American 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 R22. The Astro model incorporates electric cyclic trim, whilst the Raven models have hydraulically assisted cyclic and collective controls.

Design and development

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 favor 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 night VFR, 28-volt electrical system, and extended-chord blades for increased performance.

The R-44 is a single-engined helicopter with a semi-rigid two-bladed main rotor and a two-bladed tail rotor and a skid landing gear. It has an enclosed cabin with two rows of side-by-side seating for a pilot and three passengers.

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.

Operators

;DOM
* Dominican Republic Army;EST
* Estonian Air Force;LBN
* Lebanese Air Force

pecifications (R44 Raven II)

aircraft specifications

plane or copter?=copter
jet or prop?=prop

ref=Robinson R44 Raven II Pilot's Operating Handbook and FAA approved rotorcraft flight manual, dated June 13, 2005.

crew=1 (pilot)
capacity=3 (passengers)
payload main=900 lb
payload alt=408 kg
length main=(body only) 21 ft 5 in
length alt=9.0 m
span main=33 ft
span alt=10.1 m
height main=10 ft 9 in
height alt=3.3 m
area main=
area alt=
airfoil=
empty weight main= 1450 lb
empty weight alt= 657.7 kg
loaded weight main= 2400 lb
loaded weight alt= 1088.6 kg
useful load main=
useful load alt=
max takeoff weight main=
max takeoff weight alt=
more general=Main tank total capacity: 31.6 US gallons (120 liters)
* Main tank usable capacity: 30.6 US gallons (116 liters)
* Optional aux tank total capacity: 18.5 US gallons (70 liters)
* Optional aux tank usable capacity: 18.3 US gallons (69 liters)

engine (jet)=
type of jet=
number of jets=
thrust main=
thrust alt=
thrust original=
afterburning thrust main=
afterburning thrust alt=
engine (prop)=Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5
type of prop=6 cylinder, horizontally opposed, direct drive, air cooled, fuel injected, normally aspirated
number of props=1
power main= 5 minute max of 245 bhp (183 kW), max continuous power of 205 bhp (153 kW)
power alt=
power original=

max speed main= 130 kt (240 km/h)
max speed alt= 150 mph
cruise speed main= 110 kt
cruise speed alt= 127 mph
stall speed main=
stall speed alt=
never exceed speed main= 130 kt
never exceed speed alt= 150 mph
range main= 300 nm (560 km)
range alt=345 miles
ceiling main= 14,000 ft density altitude or 9,000 ft above ground level (in order to be able to reach ground within 5 minutes in case of fire)
ceiling alt=
climb rate main=
climb rate alt=
loading main=
loading alt=
thrust/weight=
power/mass main=
power/mass alt=
more performance=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)

armament=

avionics=

ee also

aircontent
related=
* Robinson R22
* Robinson R66

similar aircraft=
* Bell 206
* Enstrom F-28
* MD Helicopters MD 500

sequence=
* R22 - R44- R66

lists=

see also=

References

External links

* [http://www.robinsonheli.com/ Robinson Helicopter Company web site]
* [http://www.robinsonhelicopters.org/ Robinson Helicopters Owners Group]
* [http://philip.greenspun.com/flying/robinson-r44 R44 Raven I owner's review]
* [http://www.easa.eu.int/ws_prod/c/doc/Design_Appro/Rotorcraft/TCDS%20IM%20R%20121%20R44_Iss1%2012Dec2007.pdf European Aviation Safety Agency - Type Certificate Data Sheet - R44 and R44 II]