The Robinson R44 Raven II is a four-seat light utility helicopter powered by a single fuel-injected, angle-valve, tuned-induction,
Lycoming IO-540 piston engine. The Robinson R44 is built and developed by the Robinson Helicopter Company in Torrance, California.
Design of the Model R44 began in 1985. The first prototype flew on 31 March 1990 and the second in January 1991. Sales efforts got
under way in March 1992 at a base price of 235.000 US-Dollars. FAA Type Certification for the R44 Astro was achieved on 10 December
1992, and the first Robinson R44 Astro was delivered in February 1993. In 2000, the R44 Astro was replaced as the main production
model by the hydraulically-assisted R44 Raven. The development from the first R44 Astro in 1993, via the R44 Raven I to the first
R44 Raven II delivered in 2002, has been remarkable. For the pilot the most important difference is the conversion from a carbureted
engine on the Astro to injection and hydraulic controls on the Raven II. Today the four-seat Model R44 is the world's most popular
helicopter of with over 6400 delivered to customers all over the world. The ICAO Aircraft Type Designator for the R44 Raven II helicopters is R44. |
In January 2011, Robinson R44 Raven II c/n 13066 arrived in crates at Kassel-Calden Airport in Germany for assembly by Helitec. On 2 February 2011,
the in November 2010 built helicopter was flown as D-HALD to Bonn-Hangelar. On 17 February 2011, the Robinson Raven II was registered D-HALD
with Air Lloyd Deutsche Helikopter Flugservice GmbH, Bonn/Hangelar. In 2014, the D-HALD was leased for a few months to EBAG Helicopters in Ede,
the Netherlands. On 29 September 2017, the Robinson R44 Raven II was registered OO-VER in Belgium with Roecuir, Roesselare. On 28 November 2017,
registration OO-VER was cancelled as exported to the Netherlands. On 21 December 2017, the Robinson R44 Raven II was registered PH-AVW with
A.F.C. van Westerop: registration PH-AVW stands for Albert van Westerop, and the R44 Raven II replaced Robinson R22 Beta II PH-CVW (which stands
for Carla van Westerop). On 4 August 2018, Robinson R44 Raven II PH-AVW 'Heleen' was seen at Lelystad Airport (EHLE). |