Bell 505 Jetranger X vs Robinson Helicopters R22 Beta Ii vs Robinson Helicopters R44 Raven Ii vs Robinson Helicopters R66
The Bell 505 JetRanger X and Robinson R66 sit in the light-turbine category, while the Robinson R22 Beta II and R44 Raven II are light-piston helicopters. In practical range terms, the R22 is typically the shortest-legged of the group, aimed at economical training and short missions. The R44 generally offers more usable range than the R22 thanks to greater fuel capacity and efficiency at higher cruise speeds, making it a common choice for longer cross-countries in the piston class. The Bell 505 and R66 usually provide the most mission flexibility and commonly the best range in real-world operations, with the turbine advantage of consistent performance and better high/hot capability; between them, the R66 often edges toward longer legs due to its fuel capacity, while the 505 is frequently chosen for modern avionics and a roomy cabin. Passenger capacity scales similarly: the R22 is a two-seat aircraft (pilot plus one), whereas the R44, Bell 505, and R66 are typically configured for four seats (pilot plus three).
| Spec | Bell 505 JetRanger X | ROBINSON R22 Beta II | ROBINSON R44 Raven II | ROBINSON R66 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | — | — | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 3.53 | $ 1.80 | $ 2.36 | $ 3.49 |
| Min Crew | 1 | — | — | 1 |
| Total Seats | 5 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Robinson Helicopters | Robinson Helicopters | Robinson Helicopters |
| Aircraft Name | 505 JetRanger X | R22 Beta II | R44 Raven II | R66 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 306 | 250 | 300 | 350 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.71 | $ 0.90 | $ 0.59 | $ 0.70 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 1500 | 490 | 995 | 1355 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 3 | — | — | 3 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 441 | $ 173 | $ 257 | $ 384 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000H | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 125 | 96 | 109 | 110 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $1,445,000 | $ 312,000 | $ 490,000 | $ 920,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | — | — | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | — | — | 1 |
| Total Seats | 5 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 3 | — | — | 3 |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Dual-Channel | No | No | No |
| Model | Arrius 2R | O-360 | IO-540 | RR300 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | AvGas | AvGas | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 2000 | 2200 | 2000 |
| Horsepower | 505 | 131 | 245 | 300 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | 32.3 | — | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 84.85 | 115 | 29.5 | 73.6 |
| TBO (yrs) | — | 12 | 12 | — |
| Fuel Delivery | — | Carbureted | Fuel Injected | — |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Width (ft) | 6.51 | — | — | — |
| Length (ft) | 42.48 | 28.5 | 38.3 | 38.3 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.66 | — | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 2.75 | — | — | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 7.17 | — | — | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 10.65 | 8.8 | 10.8 | 11.4 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 37 | 25.2 | 33 | 33 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 137 | — | — | 50 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 18 | — | — | 18 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 1.5 | 2.5 | — |