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| Role | Light utility and trainer helicopter |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Robinson Helicopter Company |
| Designer | Frank D. Robinson |
| First flight | 31 March 1990 |
| Introduction | 1993 |
| Status | In production |
| Produced | 1990–present |
| Number built | 6,866+ (through 2023) |
| Developed from | Robinson R22 |
| Developed into | Robinson R66 |
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.
R44’s 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.
Ceiling
MAX RANGE
Aircraft Speed
Max Crew
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
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
In 1997, a Robinson R44 was piloted by Jennifer Murray for the first helicopter circumnavigation of the world by a woman
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.
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