View source for Engineering:Robinson R44

{{Short description|Family of American light helicopters}}
<!-- This article is a part of Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft. Please see Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout. -->
{|{{Infobox aircraft begin
 |name= R44
 |image= File:Robinson R44 II (cropped).jpg
 |caption=
}}{{Infobox aircraft type
 |type=Light [[Engineering:Utility aircraft|utility]] and trainer [[Engineering:Helicopter|helicopter]]
 |manufacturer=Robinson Helicopter Company
 |designer=Frank D. Robinson
 |first flight=31 March 1990
 |introduced=1993
 |retired=
 |status= In production
 |primary user=
 |more users=
 |produced= 1990–present
 |number built=6,331+ (through 2019)
 |developed from=[[Engineering:Robinson R22|Robinson R22]]
 |developed into=Robinson R66
}}
|}

The '''Robinson R44''' is a four-seat light [[Engineering:Helicopter|helicopter]] produced by Robinson Helicopter Company since 1992. Based on the company's two-seat [[Engineering:Robinson R22|Robinson R22]], the R44 features hydraulically assisted flight controls. It was first flown on 31 March 1990 and received FAA certification in December 1992, with the first delivery in February 1993.

The R44 has been the world's best-selling general aviation (GA) helicopter every year since 1999.  It is one of the [[Engineering:List of most-produced aircraft|most-produced]] GA aircraft of the 21st century, with 5,941 deliveries from 2001 to 2020.<ref name="GAMA2013">{{cite journal |url=https://gama.aero/wp-content/uploads/GAMA-2013-Databook-Updated-LowRes.pdf |title=2013 General Aviation Statistical Databook & 2014 Industry Outlook |publisher=General Aviation Manufacturers Association |date=2014|page=17|access-date=23 February 2016}}</ref><ref name=GAMA2019>{{cite journal |url=https://gama.aero/wp-content/uploads/GAMA_2019Databook_ForWebFinal-2020-02-19.pdf |title=2019 Databook |author=General Aviation Manufacturers Association |date=2020 |access-date=1 March 2020}}</ref>

==Design==
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.

==Development==
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 [[Engineering:Type certificate|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.<ref name="time">{{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}}</ref> In January 2000, Robinson introduced the '''Raven''' with hydraulically assisted controls<ref name="Phil">{{cite web|last1=Greenspun|first1=Philip|title=Robinson R44 Raven I|url=http://philip.greenspun.com/flying/robinson-r44|access-date=20 September 2014|date=July 2014}}</ref> and adjustable pedals. In July 2002, Robinson introduced the '''Raven II''' featuring a more powerful, [[Engineering:Fuel injection|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.<ref name="Robinson17Nov2015">{{cite press release|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|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}}</ref>

Robinson has carried out ground run testing with an [[Engineering:Aircraft diesel engine|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

==Operational history==
In 1997, a Robinson R44 was piloted by Jennifer Murray for the first helicopter [[Earth:Circumnavigation|circumnavigation]] of the world by a woman, covering a distance of 36,000 miles in 97 days.<ref name="FAI6703">{{cite web|title=FAI Record ID #6703|url=http://www.fai.org/fai-record-file/?recordId=6703|publisher=[[Organization:Fédération Aéronautique Internationale|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}}</ref><ref name="granny">{{cite news|title=Chopper granny rounds globe|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/sep/06/5|access-date=6 June 2017|work={{wipe|The Guardian}}|publisher=Guardian News and Media|date=6 September 2000}}</ref> {{asof|2014}}, an R44 holds the piston speed record of 123 knots (141 mph/227km/h).<ref name="FAI12126">{{cite web|title=FAI Record ID #12126|url=http://www.fai.org/fai-record-file/?recordId=12126|publisher=[[Organization:Fédération Aéronautique Internationale|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}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=July 2021}}

==Operators==
===Civilian operators===
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}}<!-- no need to list -->

==== Flight Schools ====
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.

===Military and government operators===
[[File:Robinson R44 Users.png|thumb|Map with Robinson R44 military/government operators in blue]]
[[File:G-ROYM (34834802080).jpg|thumb|A Robinson R44 in a hover]]
;{{BOL}}
* {{wipe|Bolivian Air Force}}<ref name="global">{{cite report|date=2017|title=World Air Forces 2017|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/asset/14484|publisher=Flightglobal|access-date=5 June 2017}}</ref>{{rp|7}}
;{{DOM}}
* Dominican Republic Army<ref name="global"/>{{rp|9}}
;{{EST}}
* {{wipe|Estonian Air Force}}<ref name="global"/>{{rp|9}}
;{{JOR}}
* {{wipe|Royal Jordanian Air Force}}<ref name="global"/>{{rp|11}}
;{{LBN}}
* {{wipe|Lebanese Air Force}}<ref name="global"/>{{rp|11}}<ref name="Robinson22Dec2005PressRelease">{{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}}</ref>
[[File:Robinson R-44 Raven II AN1539475.jpg|thumb|An R44 from the Czech Republic]]
;{{MEX}}
* Mexican Navy<ref name="global"/>{{rp|12}}
;{{NIC}}
* {{wipe|Nicaraguan Air Force}}<ref name="global"/>{{rp|13}}
;{{PER}}
* Peruvian Army<ref name="global"/>{{rp|13}}
;{{PHI}}
* Philippine National Police<ref name="GMAPNPGets3RavenChoppersForAntiCrimeOperations">{{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}}</ref>
;{{POL}}
* Air ambulances in Poland (crew training purpose)<ref>{{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}}</ref>
;{{RUS}}
* Forest Protection Service<ref name="WoodRu1Nov2015">{{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}}</ref>
;{{RSA}}
*South African Police Service Air Wing<ref name="Summer2008">{{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<!--|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170605181810/https://robinsonheli.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/2008_summer.pdf|archive-date=5 June 2017-->|access-date=5 June 2017}}</ref>
[[File:Robinson R44 filtered (5241546639).jpg|thumb|An R44 in flight over Russia]]
;{{THA}}
* Royal Thai Army<ref name="global"/>{{rp|16}}
;{{USA}}
*Alaska State Troopers<ref name="down">{{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}}</ref>
;{{URU}}
*Police of Uruguay<ref name="EFE28Dec2016">{{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}}</ref>

==Accidents and incidents==
===Fuel tanks===
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.<ref name="RobinsonSB-78B">{{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}}</ref>

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%).<ref name="055Prelim">{{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}}</ref>{{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.<ref name="055Prelim"/>{{rp|7}}

[[File:Heli Air Robinson R44 Raven II arrives RIAT Fairford 10thJuly2014 arp.jpg|thumb|Heli Air Robinson R44 Raven II arriving for the 2014 Royal International Air Tattoo, {{wipe|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.<ref name="055Prelim"/>{{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.<ref name="R44-23">{{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}}</ref>

===Rotor failures===
On 19 February 2015, the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority issued an [[Engineering:Airworthiness Directive|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."<ref name="stuff">{{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}}</ref> Following the grounding in New Zealand, Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) also grounded R44 helicopters with the same rotor blades.<ref name="R44-24">{{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}}</ref><ref name="ground">{{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}}</ref><ref name="CAA24Feb2015">{{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}}</ref>

==Specifications (R44 Raven II)==

{{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.<ref>[https://robinsonheli.com/r44-specifications Robinson R44 Raven II specifications] Robinson</ref>
|prime units?=kts
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew=1/2
|capacity=3/2 / {{cvt|748|lb|0}}
|length ft=38
|length in=3
|length note=
|width ft=<!-- if applicable -->
|width in=<!-- if applicable -->
|width note=
|height ft=10
|height in=9
|height note=
|airfoil= [[Physics:NACA airfoil|NACA 63-015]]<ref name="Selig">{{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}}</ref>
|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=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|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=<!-- helicopters -->
|rot area sqft=855.4
|rot area note=
<!--
        Performance
-->
|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=<!-- if range unknown -->
|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=<br>
*'''Fuel consumption:''' {{convert|15|USgal/h|impgal/h l/h}}<ref name="Rebound">{{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 }}</ref><ref name="Phil"/>
*'''Altitude restrictions:''' {{convert|14000|ft|m|abbr=on}} [[Earth:Density altitude|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=
}}

==See also==
{{Aircontent|
|related=
* [[Engineering:Robinson R22|Robinson R22]]
* Robinson R66
|similar aircraft=
* Bell 206
* [[Engineering:Enstrom F-28|Enstrom F-28]]
* MD Helicopters MD 500
|lists=
* [[Engineering:List of civil aircraft|List of civil aircraft]]
* [[Engineering:List of rotorcraft|List of rotorcraft]] 
|see also=
}}

==References==
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="LAT 2019-06-18">{{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={{wipe|Los Angeles Times}}|access-date=2019-06-19|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
}}

==External links==


[[Category:Single-engined piston helicopters]]

{{Sourceattribution|Robinson R44}}