The Robinson R44 Clipper II is a four-seat light utility helicopter
powered by a single fuel-injected, angle-valve, tuned-induction,
Lycoming IO-540 piston engine. The Clipper II is an R44 Raven II offered
with fixed utility floats for extended flights over water. 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 which
already over 6200 are delivered to customers all over the world. The
ICAO Aircraft Type Designator for the R44 Raven II helicopters is R44. |
On 23 May 2007, Star Airservice, Teuge, reserved registration PH-FVD for the 2007-built Robinson R44 Clipper II s/n 11905.
The helicopter was registered PH-FVD in the Netherlands with Delon Air B.V., Ter Aar, on 25 July 2007. Clipper II PH-FVD is powered by
a single Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 piston engine with fuel injection. On 17 January 2014, Heli Invest B.V., Uitwellingerga, was registered
as holder/owner of the PH-FVD. On 9 May 2013, when seen during Wings en Wheels 2013 at Hoogeveen airfield (EHHO), the helicopter was
operated by Rotarywings on sightseeing tours. |