Robinson R44

File:Robinson R44 Raven II.jpg

The R44 is a single-engined helicopter with a semi-rigid two-bladed main rotor, 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.

File:R44 tail rotor.jpg

Designed during the 1980s by Frank Robinson and his staff of engineers, the R44 first flew on 31 March 1990. The R44 Astro was awarded an FAA Type Certificate in December 1992, with the first deliveries taking place in January 1993. The first R44 Newscopter featuring onboard electronic news gathering equipment was delivered in 1998.{{cite web|title=Timeline: February 1998|date=15 February 1988|url=https://robinsonheli.com/timeline-milestone/february-1998/|publisher=Robinson Helicopter Company|access-date=14 February 2017|archive-date=14 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214180142/https://robinsonheli.com/timeline-milestone/february-1998/|url-status=dead}} In January 2000, Robinson introduced the Raven with hydraulically assisted controls{{cite web|last1=Greenspun|first1=Philip|author-link1=Philip Greenspun|title=Robinson R44 Raven I|url=http://philip.greenspun.com/flying/robinson-r44|access-date=20 September 2014|date=July 2014}} and adjustable pedals. In July 2002, Robinson introduced the Raven II featuring a more powerful, fuel-injected engine and wider blades, allowing a higher gross weight and improved altitude performance.

During November 2015 Robinson announced the Cadet, a Raven I with a cargo area instead of the two back seats, a slightly less powerful engine and a more efficient muffler.{{cite press release|author=|title=Robinson Introduces the Two-Place R44 Cadet|url=https://robinsonheli.com/news/robinson-introduces-the-two-place-r44-cadet/|location=Torrance, CA|publisher=Robinson Helicopter Company|date=17 November 2015|access-date=19 November 2015|archive-date=30 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030172037/https://robinsonheli.com/news/robinson-introduces-the-two-place-r44-cadet/|url-status=dead}}

Robinson has carried out ground run testing with an aircraft diesel engine that could replace its Lycoming IO-540 avgas engine. The diesel could provide better altitude performance, a fuel burn reduced from {{cvt|16 to 12|USgal|L}} per hour and better fuel availability with no lead pollution.{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/hai-robinson-helicopter-upbeat-on-diesel-rd-with-r-456370/ |title= Robinson Helicopter upbeat on diesel R&D with R44 Raven II |date= 6 March 2019 |author= Garrett Reim |work= Flightglobal}}

In 2023, the R550X, an unmanned helicopter drone based on the R44 Raven II, was developed.{{Cite web |last=Iosub |first=Ancuta |date=2023-12-11 |title=Rotor Technologies Begins Production of Uncrewed Helicopter Designed for Civilian Use |url=https://www.autoevolution.com/news/rotor-technologies-begins-production-of-uncrewed-helicopter-designed-for-civilian-use-225897.html |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=autoevolution |language=en}}

File:Robbie Tug Tow Cart R44.jpg

R44s are equipped with wheel mounts toward the rear of the skids, one on each side, for attachment of removable wheels. The wheels must be removed prior to flight. These brackets are slightly behind the helicopter center of gravity so when the wheels are installed, the helicopter sits nose low. The wheel assembly has a pivot pin which is inserted into the skid-mounted bracket and then rotated over center to lift the rear of the skids about 2 inches leaving the front of the skids on the ground. The helicopter can be moved by pulling down on the tail to lift the front of the skids off the ground. Because of the size and weight of the R44 and the height of the tail from the ground, as compared to the R22, it is extremely difficult if not impossible for a single person to move the helicopter this way. Another person can help by pushing on the bracing behind the engine.

R44s with fixed floats or deployed pop-out emergency floats must have wheels installed under the skids as the bracket is not accessible.

All models and years of the R44 include a {{frac|3|4}}-inch-diameter tow ball mounted on the bottom of the fuselage, near the front and offset slightly to the left. A tow cart or tug can be engaged with the ball and then used to lift the front of the helicopter to clear the skids from the ground after the wheels are installed and rotated to lift the rear of the skids. This makes it possible for a single person to move the helicopter, even over significant distances or not-level surfaces.

Tow carts are available with a variety of features. There exist manual versions which place the ball mating device behind the wheels so the operator engages the ball then pushes down on the handle to lift the nose. Others provide a repurposed car-style hydraulic jack or an electric jack to lift the nose.

Tow carts are available with no motive power, a gas engine or one or two electric motors operated from one or two batteries. Some of the non-powered tow carts are set up to be towed such as behind a golf cart or quad cycle. One manufacturer offered a modified pallet jack.

The other option for ground handling is a landing platform which is large enough for the helicopter to safely land on, has wheels underneath and can be towed between the hangar and take-off location. These are heavy and must be towed with a vehicle. Platforms are commonly used with R44s.

File:Robinson R44 cockpit.JPG

In 1997, a Robinson R44 was piloted by Jennifer Murray for the first helicopter circumnavigation of the world by a woman, covering a distance of 36,000 miles in 97 days.{{cite web|title=FAI Record ID #6703|url=http://www.fai.org/fai-record-file/?recordId=6703|publisher=FAI|access-date=20 September 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105133245/http://www.fai.org/fai-record-file/?recordId=6703|archive-date=5 January 2015|df=dmy-all}}{{cite news|title=Chopper granny rounds globe|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/sep/06/5|access-date=6 June 2017|work=The Guardian|publisher=Guardian News and Media|date=6 September 2000}} {{as of|2014}}, an R44 holds the piston speed record of {{convert|123|kn}}.{{cite web|title=FAI Record ID #12126|url=http://www.fai.org/fai-record-file/?recordId=12126|publisher=FAI|access-date=21 September 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105132741/http://www.fai.org/fai-record-file/?recordId=12126|archive-date=5 January 2015|df=dmy-all}}{{Failed verification|date=July 2021}}

The aircraft is operated by many private individuals, companies and flying clubs. It is also a popular choice for law enforcement agencies.{{r|LAT 2019-06-18}}

R-44 Raven and Cadet models are also widely used for flight training in the US, because of their simplicity and functionality. Collegiate flight programs such as Southern Utah University, Embry Riddle, and University of North Dakota utilize these aircraft for training students in their Rotor Wing programs.

File:Robinson R44 Users.png

File:G-ROYM (34834802080).jpg

;{{BOL}}

• Bolivian Air Force{{cite report|date=2017|title=World Air Forces 2017|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/asset/14484|publisher=Flightglobal|access-date=5 June 2017}}{{rp|7}}

;{{DOM}}

• Dominican Republic Army{{rp|9}}

;{{JOR}}

• Royal Jordanian Air Force{{rp|11}}

;{{LBN}}

• Lebanese Air Force{{rp|11}}{{cite press release|last=Krause|first=Adriana|title=Lebanese Army Takes Delivery of Two More Robinsons|url=http://www.robinsonheli.com/media/pressrelease/lebaneseagain.pdf|location=Torrance, CA|publisher=Robinson Helicopter Company|date=22 December 2005|access-date=8 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120020009/http://www.robinsonheli.com/media/pressrelease/lebaneseagain.pdf|archive-date=20 January 2013}}

File:Robinson R-44 Raven II AN1539475.jpg

;{{MEX}}

• Mexican Navy{{rp|12}}

;{{NIC}}

• Nicaraguan Air Force{{rp|13}}

;{{PER}}

• Peruvian Army{{rp|13}}

File:PA Robinson R44.jpg

;{{PHI}}

• Philippine Army- 2 Units{{cite web | url=https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-news/philippine-army-commissions-two-r44-raven-lightweight-training-helicopters | title=Philippine Army commissions two R44 Raven lightweight training helicopters | date=6 October 2020 }}
• Philippine National Police- 4 Units {{cite news|last1=Dedace|first1=Sophia|title=PNP gets 3 Raven choppers for anti-crime operations|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/183647/pnp-gets-3-raven-choppers-for-anti-crime-operations/story/|access-date=11 February 2010|publisher=GMA Network|date=11 February 2010}}{{cite web | url=http://helihub.com/2012/10/24/philippine-national-police-look-to-purchase15-helicopters/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006211957/http://helihub.com/2012/10/24/philippine-national-police-look-to-purchase15-helicopters/ | archive-date=6 October 2017 | title=Philippine National Police look to purchase 15 helicopters | date=24 October 2012 }}
• Philippine Navy- 3 Units as part of Php298.1 million ($5.8 million) grant under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program. {{cite web | url=https://ph.usembassy.gov/united-states-turns-over-four-cessna-planes-to-philippine-navy/ | title=United States Turns over Four Cessna Planes to Philippine Navy | date=11 February 2022 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.naval-technology.com/news/philippine-navy-cessna-aircraft/ | title=Philippine Navy receives four Cessna aircraft from US | date=14 February 2022 }}

;{{POL}}

• Air ambulances in Poland (crew training purpose){{Cite web|title=Lotnicze Pogotowie Ratunkowe » Przekazanie samolotów i śmigłowców szkoleniowych dla LPR|url=https://www.lpr.com.pl/pl/przekazanie-samolotow-i-smiglowcow-szkoleniowych-dla-lpr/|access-date=2021-03-22|language=pl-PL}}

;{{RUS}}

• Forest Protection Service{{cite news|title=В расположение предприятия "Авиалесоохрана "Алтай" прибыл новый вертолет "Робинсон"|trans-title=The Altai Aerial Forest Protection Service has a new Robinson Helicopter|url=http://www.wood.ru/ru/lonewsid-26039.html|access-date=1 November 2015|publisher=Wood.ru|date=18 March 2009|language=ru}}

;{{RSA}}

• South African Police Service Air Wing{{cite magazine|date=15 August 2008|title=South Africa Combats Crime with R44 Raven II Police Helicopters|url=https://robinsonheli.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/2008_summer.pdf|magazine=Robinson News|publisher=Robinson Helicopter Company|volume=14|issue=2|pages=1, 4|access-date=5 June 2017}}

File:Robinson R44 filtered (5241546639).jpg]]

;{{THA}}

• Royal Thai Army{{rp|16}}

;{{USA}}

• Alaska State Troopers{{cite news|last1=Shedlock|first1=Jerzy|title=Down one search-and-rescue helicopter, Alaska State Troopers reorganize|url=https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/article/alaska-troopers-make-do-without-helo-1/2013/06/01/|access-date=6 December 2015|work=Alaska Dispatch News|date=31 May 2013}}

;{{URU}}

• Police of Uruguay{{cite news|title=Uruguay suma helicópteros estadounidenses a la policía para reforzar la vigilancia|trans-title=Uruguay adds US helicopters to police to reinforce surveillance|url=http://www.efe.com/efe/cono-sur/sociedad/uruguay-suma-helicopteros-estadounidenses-a-la-policia-para-reforzar-vigilancia/50000760-3135793|access-date=16 January 2017|publisher=EFE|date=28 December 2016|location=Montevideo|language=es}}

The R44 was found to be prone to post-accident fires due to damage to the aluminum fuel tanks, allowing fuel to leak out. In 2009, the company began installing bladder-type fuel tanks in all new R44 helicopters. It also issued Service Bulletin SB-78 on 20 December 2010, requiring R44 helicopters with all-aluminum fuel tanks to be retrofitted with bladder-type tanks to "improve the R44's fuel system's resistance to a post-accident fuel leak." The company recommended that the change should be done as soon as practical, but no later than 31 December 2014. The compliance date was later moved to 30 April 2013.{{cite report|date=28 September 2012|title=R44 Service Bulletin|url=https://robinsonheli.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/r44_sb78.pdf|publisher=Robinson Helicopter Company|version=Rev B|location=Torrance, CA|docket=SB-78B|access-date=25 April 2013|archive-date=19 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919123052/https://robinsonheli.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/r44_sb78.pdf|url-status=dead}}

An accident investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) in March 2013 found, after analyzing historical data, that a significantly higher proportion of R44 aircraft (12%) caught fire after crashing, compared to accidents involving other types of piston-engine helicopters (7%).{{cite report|date=5 April 2013|title=Collision with terrain involving Robinson R44 helicopter, VH-HWQ, Preliminary|url=http://www.atsb.gov.au/media/4110277/ao-2013-055_prelim.pdf|publisher=Australian Transport Safety Bureau|docket=AO-2013-055|access-date=18 September 2013}}{{rp|7}} Preliminary analysis by the ATSB of the NTSB's accident database found a similar statistic, with 15% of accidents in the US involving R44 helicopters having post-crash fires.{{rp|7}}

File:Heli Air Robinson R44 Raven II arrives RIAT Fairford 10thJuly2014 arp.jpg Robinson R44 Raven II arriving for the 2014 Royal International Air Tattoo, England]]

Although the data did not consider which type of fuel tanks were fitted, the report mentioned four fatal accidents to the R44 fitted with bladder-type tanks, but as far as they knew, did not involve a post-accident fire. The ATSB recommended that the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) take further action to urge R44 owners to fit bladder-type tanks.{{rp|12}} The FAA, the governing body in the country of manufacture whose directives would normally be followed in other countries like Australia, had not mandated the retrofit; CASA therefore issued Australian-specific airworthiness directive AD/R44/23, grounding R44 aircraft on 30 April 2013 that had not yet been upgraded.{{cite report|last=Ward|first=Nicholas|date=29 April 2013|title=R44 Bladder Fuel Tank Retrofit|url=http://www.casa.gov.au/ADFiles/rotor/r44/r44-023.pdf|publisher=Civil Aviation Safety Authority|docket=AD/R44/23|access-date=25 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927084048/http://www.casa.gov.au/ADFiles/rotor/r44/r44-023.pdf|archive-date=27 September 2013}}

On 19 February 2015, the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority issued an Airworthiness Directive grounding 80 of the country's R44 helicopters after two people were killed in an accident traced to a particular type of main rotor blade, the P/N C016-7 or Dash 7, which a preliminary investigation determined had failed in flight. It was the second failure or partial failure in two months. This was the largest-scale grounding of any aircraft in New Zealand's history. The CAA determined through laboratory tests that the rotor blade had failed due to overload during the crash and was not the cause of the accident and the fleet was ungrounded on 24 February 2015. The CAA left the Airworthiness Directive requiring repetitive inspections in place, however. Director of Civil Aviation Graeme Harris stated, "We don't want to see any complacency amongst operators as there is still a concern with these blades and we are waiting on test results from the USA before we review the Airworthiness notice."{{cite news|last1=Kenny|first1=Katie|last2=Mann|first2=Brittany|title=Chopper ban after deaths unprecedented|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/66485213/chopper-ban-after-deaths-unprecedented|access-date=21 February 2015|work=Stuff.co.nz|publisher=Fairfax New Zealand|date=21 February 2015}} Following the grounding in New Zealand, Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) also grounded R44 helicopters with the same rotor blades.{{cite report|last=Ward|first=Nicholas|date=21 February 2015|title=Prohibition of Flight—C016-7 Main Rotor Blades|url=http://www.casa.gov.au/wcmswr/_assets/main/airworth/airwd/ADfiles/ROTOR/R44/R44-024.pdf|publisher=Civil Aviation Safety Authority|docket=AD/R44/24|access-date=23 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222162936/http://www.casa.gov.au/wcmswr/_assets/main/airworth/airwd/ADfiles/ROTOR/R44/R44-024.pdf|archive-date=22 February 2015}}{{cite news|last1=Niles|first1=Russ|title=Australia, New Zealand Ground Some R-44s|url=https://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Australia-New-Zealand-Ground-Some-R-44s-223598-1.html|access-date=23 February 2015|publisher=AVweb|date=21 February 2015}}{{cite press release|last=Richards|first=Mike|date=24 February 2015|title=CAA lifts flight ban on Helicopters|url=http://www.caa.govt.nz/public_and_media_info/caa_releases/med_rel_robinson_r44_2.pdf|publisher=Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand|access-date=2 June 2015}}

{{main|Death and state funeral of Sebastián Piñera}}

On 6 February 2024 an R44 helicopter crashed into Ranco Lake near Lago Ranco, Los Ríos Region (English: Rivers Region), Chile. 3 of the 4 occupants survived, with the fatal victim being the ex-President of Chile Sebastián Piñera who was also the pilot of the accident helicopter.{{cite news |author=Natalia A. Ramos Miranda, Anthony Esposito and Fabian Cambero |title=Chile's former president Sebastian Pinera dies in helicopter crash |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/chile-ex-president-sebastianpinera-dies-helicopter-crash-local-media-says-2024-02-06/ |access-date=6 February 2024 |work=Reuters |publisher=Thomson Reuters |date=February 6, 2024 }}

File:Chasing the glider.Helicopter Robinson R44 RA-04214 (12273443956).jpg

File:Robinson r44 astra helicopter view at kemble arp.jpg

File:Helicopter Robinson R44.jpg

{{Aircraft specs

|ref=Robinson R44 Raven II Pilot's Operating Handbook and FAA approved rotorcraft flight manual, dated 13 June 2005, and new Robinson R44 Raven II specifications.[https://robinsonheli.com/r44-specifications Robinson R44 Raven II specifications] Robinson

|prime units?=kts

|crew=1/2 (There are 4 seats including the pilot, so there can be pilot and co-pilot, with two passengers, or alternately a single pilot with 3 passenger spots)

|capacity=3/2 / {{cvt|748|lb|0}}

|length ft=38

|length in=3

|length note=

|width ft=

|width in=

|width note=

|height ft=10

|height in=9

|height note=

|airfoil= NACA 63-015{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |access-date=16 April 2019}}

|empty weight lb=1505

|empty weight note=

|gross weight lb=2500

|gross weight note=

|max takeoff weight lb=

|max takeoff weight note=

|fuel capacity=Fuel: 100 octane low lead (100LL) fuel or 100/130 octane

:*Main tank capacity: {{cvt|31.6|USgal|impgal l|0}}

:*Main tank usable fuel: {{cvt|30.6|USgal|impgal l|0}}

:*Auxiliary tank capacity: {{cvt|18.5|USgal|impgal l|0}}

:*Auxiliary tank usable fuel: {{cvt|18.3|USgal|impgal l|0}}

|more general=

|eng1 number=1

|eng1 name=Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5

|eng1 type=6-cylinder air-cooled horizontally-opposed piston engine

|eng1 hp=245

|eng1 note=

|rot number=1

|rot dia ft=33

|rot dia in=

|rot area sqft=855.4

|rot area note=

|max speed kts=130

|max speed note=

|cruise speed kts=109

|cruise speed note=

|never exceed speed kts=

|never exceed speed note=

|range nmi=300

|range note=no reserve

|ferry range nmi=

|ferry range note=

|endurance=

|ceiling ft=

|ceiling note=

|climb rate ftmin=

|climb rate note=

|time to altitude=

|disk loading lb/sqft=

|disk loading note=

|fuel consumption lb/mi=

|power/mass=

|more performance=

• Fuel consumption: {{convert|15|USgal/h|impgal/h l/h}}{{cite news|last1=Larson|first1=George C.|title=Robinson: Ready for the Rebound|url=http://aviationweek.com/awin/robinson-ready-rebound|access-date=2 September 2014|work=Aviation Week|date=1 March 2011|url-access=subscription }}
• Altitude restrictions: {{convert|14000|ft|m|abbr=on}} density altitude or {{convert|9000|ft|m|abbr=on}} above ground level in order to be able to reach ground within 5 minutes in case of fire

|avionics=

}}

{{Portal|Aviation}}

{{Aircontent|

|related=

• Robinson R22
• Robinson R66

|similar aircraft=

• Bell 206
• Enstrom F-28
• MD Helicopters MD 500

|lists=

• List of civil aircraft
• List of rotorcraft
• List of most-produced rotorcraft

|see also=

}}

{{reflist|refs=

{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-helicopter-crash-death-20190618-story.html|title=Crash of helicopter on Catalina is fourth fatal accident of this model since April|last2=Shalby|first1=Kim |last1=Christensen| first2=Colleen|date=June 19, 2019|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2019-06-19|df=dmy-all}}

}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{official website|http://www.robinsonheli.com/}}

{{Robinson aircraft}}

Category:1990s United States helicopters

Category:1990s United States civil utility aircraft

R44

Category:Single-engined piston helicopters

Category:Aircraft first flown in 1990