Robinson Helicopters R22 Beta Ii vs Robinson Helicopters R44 Raven I vs Robinson Helicopters R44 Raven Ii vs Robinson Helicopters R66
The Robinson R22 Beta II is the smallest and simplest of the group, a light two-seat piston helicopter primarily used for training and short local flights. Its passenger capacity is limited to one passenger plus the pilot, and its practical range is the shortest of the four, making it best suited to nearby hops rather than longer cross-country travel. The Robinson R44 Raven I steps up into the four-seat piston category, carrying a pilot plus up to three passengers, with more fuel and useful load than the R22 and a notably longer range, making it more versatile for touring and utility missions. The R44 Raven II remains a four-seat piston helicopter but is a refined, higher-performance variant of the Raven I, generally offering improved power and better hot-and-high capability, with range typically similar to or slightly better than the Raven I depending on configuration. The Robinson R66 is the largest here, a five-seat turbine helicopter, carrying a pilot plus up to four passengers, and it generally offers the longest range and strongest overall capability for heavier loads and longer trips.
| Spec | ROBINSON R22 Beta II | ROBINSON R44 Raven I | ROBINSON R44 Raven II | ROBINSON R66 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| DOC / nm | $ 1.80 | $ 2.30 | $ 2.36 | $ 3.49 |
| Total Seats | 2 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Robinson Helicopters | Robinson Helicopters | Robinson Helicopters | Robinson Helicopters |
| Aircraft Name | R22 Beta II | R44 Raven I | R44 Raven II | R66 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 250 | 300 | 300 | 350 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.90 | $ 0.57 | $ 0.59 | $ 0.70 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 490 | 950 | 995 | 1355 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 173 | $ 248 | $ 257 | $ 384 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 96 | 108 | 109 | 110 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 312,000 | $ 412,000 | $ 490,000 | $ 920,000 |
| Cockpit | — | — | — | 2 |
| Min Crew | — | — | — | 1 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | — | — | — | 3 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Total Seats | 2 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| Cockpit | — | — | — | 2 |
| Min Crew | — | — | — | 1 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | — | — | — | 3 |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | No | No | No | No |
| Model | O-360 | O-540 | IO-540 | RR300 |
| Fuel Type | AvGas | AvGas | AvGas | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 2000 | 2200 | 2200 | 2000 |
| TBO (yrs) | 12 | 12 | 12 | — |
| Horsepower | 131 | 225 | 245 | 300 |
| Fuel Delivery | Carbureted | Carbureted | Fuel Injected | — |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 115 | 29.5 | 29.5 | 73.6 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 28.5 | 38.3 | 38.3 | 38.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 8.8 | 10.8 | 10.8 | 11.4 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 25.2 | 33 | 33 | 33 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 1.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | — | 50 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | — | 18 |