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.
The 2007-built Robinson R22 Beta II s/n 4131 was registered OE-XPN in Austria with P&B Helitrade, Kilb. In June 2008, registration OE-XPN
was cancelled and the helicopter was registered PH-SEW in the Netherlands with Wikselaar Satelite Trading B.V., Harskamp, on 5 June 2008.
The registered owner name was corrected to Wikselaar Satellite Trading B.V., Harskamp, on 10 October 2013. Robinson R22 Beta II PH-SEW was
photographed at Hoogeveen airfield on 11 October 2012. On 12 May 2017, registration PH-SEW was cancelled as exported to Germany. On 11 May 2017,
registration D-HELY reserved. Registration D-HELY was not taken up: the Robinson R22 Beta II was modified to a Phoenix UH-22 helicopter in the
K6E category (experimental), in the UL-H subcategory (ultra-light helicopter). The modification of the helicopter consisted in reducing the
MTOM from 622 kg to 600 kg. In order to reduce the mass of the helicopter, the upholstery of the cabin and seats wre replaced and the original
metal blades of the main rotor were replaced with composite (carbon-kevlar) blades. The helicopter was registered A74BJ in the US as a Phoenix UH-22
Luchtvaart déjà vu
