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.
| Spec | Bell 505 JetRanger X | ROBINSON R44 Raven II | ROBINSON R66 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | — | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 3.53 | $ 2.36 | $ 3.49 |
| Min Crew | 1 | — | 1 |
| Total Seats | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Robinson Helicopters | Robinson Helicopters |
| Aircraft Name | 505 JetRanger X | R44 Raven II | R66 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 306 | 300 | 350 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.71 | $ 0.59 | $ 0.70 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 1500 | 995 | 1355 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 3 | — | 3 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 441 | $ 257 | $ 384 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000H | Gyro / Analog | Gyro / Analog |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 125 | 109 | 110 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $1,445,000 | $ 490,000 | $ 920,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | — | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | — | 1 |
| Total Seats | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 3 | — | 3 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Dual-Channel | No | No |
| Model | Arrius 2R | IO-540 | RR300 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | AvGas | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 2200 | 2000 |
| Horsepower | 505 | 245 | 300 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | 32.3 | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 84.85 | 29.5 | 73.6 |
| TBO (yrs) | — | 12 | — |
| Fuel Delivery | — | Fuel Injected | — |
| Dimensions | |||
| Width (ft) | 6.51 | — | — |
| Length (ft) | 42.48 | 38.3 | 38.3 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.66 | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 2.75 | — | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 7.17 | — | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 10.65 | 10.8 | 11.4 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 37 | 33 | 33 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 137 | — | 50 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 18 | — | 18 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 2.5 | — |