Robinson Helicopters R22 Beta Ii vs Robinson Helicopters R44 Raven Ii vs Robinson Helicopters R66
The Robinson R22 Beta II is a light, two-seat piston helicopter best suited to primary training and short local flights. Its practical range is the shortest of the three (roughly in the 200–300 nautical mile class, depending on reserves, loading, and conditions), and passenger capacity is limited to one passenger plus the pilot. The Robinson R44 Raven II steps up to a four-seat piston category helicopter, commonly used for touring, utility work, and advanced training. It typically offers a longer practical range than the R22 (often around the 300+ nautical mile class), and it can carry three passengers plus the pilot, subject to weight and balance. The Robinson R66 is a larger, five-seat turbine helicopter aimed at missions needing more power, payload flexibility, and turbine performance. It generally provides the greatest practical range of the three (often in the 300–400+ nautical mile class) and carries four passengers plus the pilot, again limited by loading and conditions.
| Spec | ROBINSON R22 Beta II | ROBINSON R44 Raven II | ROBINSON R66 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| DOC / nm | $ 1.80 | $ 2.36 | $ 3.49 |
| Total Seats | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Robinson Helicopters | Robinson Helicopters | Robinson Helicopters |
| Aircraft Name | R22 Beta II | R44 Raven II | R66 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 250 | 300 | 350 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.90 | $ 0.59 | $ 0.70 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 490 | 995 | 1355 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 173 | $ 257 | $ 384 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 96 | 109 | 110 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 312,000 | $ 490,000 | $ 920,000 |
| Cockpit | — | — | 2 |
| Min Crew | — | — | 1 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | — | — | 3 |
| Cabin | |||
| Total Seats | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Cockpit | — | — | 2 |
| Min Crew | — | — | 1 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | — | — | 3 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | No | No | No |
| Model | O-360 | IO-540 | RR300 |
| Fuel Type | AvGas | AvGas | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 2000 | 2200 | 2000 |
| TBO (yrs) | 12 | 12 | — |
| Horsepower | 131 | 245 | 300 |
| Fuel Delivery | Carbureted | Fuel Injected | — |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 115 | 29.5 | 73.6 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 28.5 | 38.3 | 38.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 8.8 | 10.8 | 11.4 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 25.2 | 33 | 33 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 1.5 | 2.5 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | 50 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 18 |