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Robinson Helicopters R44 Raven Ii vs Bell 505 Jetranger X vs Robinson Helicopters R66

The Robinson R44 Raven II is a light, piston-powered helicopter typically used for training and short-hop personal or utility flying. It seats up to four people including the pilot, and its practical range is generally in the roughly 300-nautical-mile class depending on payload, reserves, and operating conditions. The Bell 505 JetRanger X is a light, turbine-powered helicopter positioned as a modern five-seat platform for training, private, and light commercial missions. It carries up to five people including the pilot and commonly offers a similar or somewhat greater practical range than an R44, often around the mid-300-nautical-mile class, again varying with configuration and mission profile. The Robinson R66 is also a light turbine helicopter but larger and more load-capable than the R44, aimed at owners and operators who want turbine performance and useful load in a compact airframe. It seats up to five including the pilot, and its typical range is often comparable to the Bell 505, commonly in the mid-300-nautical-mile class depending on fuel, payload, and reserves.

SpecBell 505 JetRanger XROBINSON R44 Raven IIROBINSON R66
Summary
Cockpit22
DOC / nm$ 3.53$ 2.36$ 3.49
Min Crew11
Total Seats545
Flight RulesVFRVFRVFR
ManufacturerBellRobinson HelicoptersRobinson Helicopters
Aircraft Name505 JetRanger XR44 Raven IIR66
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)306300350
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.71$ 0.59$ 0.70
OEM VerificationVERIFIEDUn-VerifiedUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)15009951355
Standard Cabin Seats33
Direct Operating Cost$ 441$ 257$ 384
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Garmin G1000HGyro / AnalogGyro / Analog
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)125109110
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$1,445,000$ 490,000$ 920,000
Cabin
Cockpit22
Min Crew11
Total Seats545
Standard Cabin Seats33
Engine
FADECDual-ChannelNoNo
ModelArrius 2RIO-540RR300
Fuel TypeJetFuelAvGasJetFuel
TBO (hrs)400022002000
Horsepower505245300
No. of Engines111
Fuel Burn (gph)32.3
Fuel Capacity (gal)84.8529.573.6
TBO (yrs)12
Fuel DeliveryFuel Injected
Dimensions
Width (ft)6.51
Length (ft)42.4838.338.3
Cabin Width (ft)4.66
Cabin Height (ft)2.75
Cabin Length (ft)7.17
Overall Height (ft)10.6510.811.4
Rotor Diameter (ft)373333
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)13750
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)1818
Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft)2.5