Robinson R44 Raven

Type (Muster)
Light helicopter (Leichthubschrauber)

Country (Land)
USA

Manufacturer (Hersteller)
Robinson Helicopter Company
2901 Airport Drive
Torrance, California 90505
USA
Phone: 001-310/539-0508
Fax: 001-310/539-5198

General data (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 1
Passengers (Passagiere): 3

Power plant (Antrieb): 1 x Lycoming O-540
Power at take-off (Startleistung): 1 x 225 hp for take-off, 205 hp maximum continuous (derated from 260 hp)
TBO: 2000 h
Fuel consumption (Kraftstoffverbrauch): 12 - 15 gal/h (46 - 57 l/h)

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Overall length, rotors turning (Länge über drehende Rotoren): 11,63 m
Fuselage length (Rumpflänge): 8,94 m
Height (Höhe): 3,27 m
Width over landing gear (Breite): 2,18 m,
Rotor diameter (Rotordurchmesser): 10,03 m
Main rotor disc (Rotorkreisfläche): 79,4 sq m
Tail rotor diameter (Heckrotordurchmesser): 1,47 m

Weights (Massen)
Empty weight, equipped (Leermasse): 654 kg
Useful load with standard fuel (Zuladung mit Standardtank): 351 kg
Standard fuel (Standardkraftstoff): 83 kg (115 l)
Auxiliary fuel (Zusatztank): 50 kg (69 l)
Max. take-off weight (Max. Startmasse): 1089 kg

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Cruise speed (Reisegeschw.) 209 km/h (113 kts)
Climb rate (Steigrate): over 5 m/s
Max. operating altitude (Dienstgipfelhöhe): 4267 m (14000 ft)
Hover ceiling (Schwebeflughöhe)
- out of ground effect (ohne Bodeneffekt): 1555 m (5100 ft) at 1000 kg
- in ground effect (mit Bodeneffekt): 1950 m (6400 ft) at max. take-off weight
Max. Range, no reserve (Reichweite, ohne Reserven): ca. 640 km

Costs (Kosten)
Price of the R44 Raven was 299000 US-Dollars in January 2001, while the Cliper with utility floats sold at 315000 US-Dollars, and the pop-out float-version at 3220000 US-Dollars. The Police Helicopter has a suggested reteil price of 484000 US-Dollars and the Newscopter sold at 524000 US-Dollars.
These prices are up on the R44 Raven tag of 294000 US-Dollars in January 2000. An R44 Clipper with utility floats then sold at 310000 US-Dollars, a Police Helicopter at 467000 US-Dollars and a Newscopter at 512000 US-Dollars.
Price of the R44 Astro (with Transponder and GPS) was quoted as 269190 US-Dollars in January 1997. The Clipper with floats sold for 281000 US-Dollars at that time and at 293000 US-Dollars in 1999.
Total operating costs for the R44 Raven are given as 121,35 US-Dollars per hour in January 2001.

Customers (Kunden)
Robinson delivered 264 R44s in 2000. Previous year deliveries were 150 in 1999, 134 in 1998, 114 in 1997, 78 in 1996, 96 in 1995, 106 in 1994, and 31 in 1993.
Among the R44 customers are:
   * State of Alaska Department of Public Safety
   * Rainbow Pacific Helicopters
   * Delta Helicopters (Canada)
   * SKY Helicopters (Dallas, Texas)
   * Gendarmeria Nacaonal (Argentinian Border Patrol)
   * Alaska Department of Public Safety

Competition (Konkurrenz)
There is no direct competition to the R44 as it sits between smaller piston tpyes like the Schweizer 300 and Enstrom and much more expensive turbine helicopters like the Bell JetRanger or the MD Helicopters MD500-Series.

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
The R44, though a completely new design in detail, retains its family resemblance with the two-seat R22.
The following versions are available:

R44 Raven is the latest standard variant. It introduces hydraulic power controls in place of an electromechanical system, giving much easier control and eliminating stick vibration. Additional features of the Raven include adjustable pilot-side pedals and maintenance-free elastomeric tail-rotor teeter hinge bearings.
R44 Clipper, equipped with floats for extended over water flights. This adds approximately 23 kg to the empty weight and reduces speed by 10 kts (18 km/h). Special corrosion proofing throughout is applied. There is also the option to fit pop-out floats, which weigh 29,5 kg.
R44 Newscopter, a ready to use version for TV stations, which has a swivelling CCD-camera in the nose, micro camera on the tail, monitors in the cabin and the battery relocated to the tailboom.
R44 Police, with a complete law-enforcement kit (gyro-stabilized Inframetrics IR sensor in the nose, camera, video monitor and VHS recorder in the cabin, Spectrolab SX-5E Starburst searchlight, bubble windows)

History (Geschichte)
Design of the R44 began in 1985. The first prototype flew on 31. March 1990 and the second in January 1991, to be shown at the Heli-Expo show that month at Anaheim.
Sales efforts got under way in March 1992 at a base price of 235000 US-Dollars.Certification was achieved on December 10, 1992, and 31 helicopters were delivered in 1993.
Certification of the R44 Clipper with utility floats was achieved on July 17, 1996, with deliveries beginning immediately. The pop-out floats were approved in the summer of 1999. The Police version was certified in July 1997.
In September 1999, Robinson introduced hydraulic power controls for the R44, first as an option. This completely eliminates stick vibration and control forces and immediately boosted sales. Thus, the new Raven variant was standard from April 2000.
The 1000th R44 was delivered to Pierre Simard of Quebec, Canady, in March 2001, after being shown at Heli-Expo in Anaheim the month before. At that event, Frank Robinson also revealed that he is studying a higher-powered engine for the R44. A new Lycoming model shoud be tested in the spring of 2001.

Last updated 21. March 2001

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