The Robinson R22 Beta II is a two-seat small rotorcraft powered by a single Lycoming O-360-B2C four-cylinder,
air-cooled piston engine. The R22 was designed by the founder of the Robinson Helicopter Company, Frank Robinson.
Design of the Robinson R22 helicopter began in 1973, and an 85kW (115hp) Lycoming O235 powered prototype flew for
the first time on 28 August 1975. A second followed in early 1977. The FAA certification (TCDS H10WE) was achieved on 16 March
1979 and deliveries started in October of that year. On 12 October 1983, the R22 Alpha model was ceritified. On 5 August 1985, the
R22 Beta model was certified, followed by the R22 Mariner model on 12 September 1985. The R22 Beta had a larger oil cooler and
associated installation changes were made to permit the 131 hp. takeoff rating with the O-320 engine. In 1995, the R22 Beta model,
with the Lycoming O-360-J2A engine installed, entered production. This engine is installed on s/n 2571 and subsequent in production.
R22 Beta II is used as marketing designation for the R22 Beta with O-360-J2A engine installed. Over 4600 Robinson R22 helicopters are
delivered to customers all over the world. The ICAO Aircraft Type Designator for the Robinson R22 Beta is R22.
It is unusual in the Netherlands, but registration PH-CVW is in short time used twice for two different Robinson R22 helicopters.
The 2005-built Robinson R22 Beta II s/n 3975 replaced Robinson R22 Beta s/n 3758 PH-CVW of the same owner The original PH-CVW was
damaged beyond repair in a landing accident at Lelystad Airport on 25 May 2005. The wreck of this PH-CVW was stored first at Teuge
airfield, but as registration PH-CVW (which stands for Carla van Westerop) was emotionally important for the owner, it
was allowed to re-use registration PH-CVW for the new Robinson R22 Beta II, provided that the wreck of the original PH-CVW
was destroyed. On 25 July 2005, registration PH-CVW of the Robinson R22 Beta was cancelled from the register as destroyed.
On 28 November 2005, the new Robinson R22 Beta II c/n 3975 was registered PH-CVW in the Netherlands with A.F.C. van Westerop.
On 2 August 2017, registration PH-CVW was cancelled as exported to Italy, where the Robinson R22 Beta II entered service with a
flying school in Rome.
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