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The Robinson R44 Clipper I is a single-engined light utility helicopter for up to 1 crew and 3 passengers,
powered by a carburetted Lycoming O-540-F1B5 piston engine. The Clipper I is an R44 Raven I 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. Today the four-seat Model R44 is the world's
most popular helicopter with over 6300 delivered to customers all over the world.
The ICAO Aircraft
Type Designator for the R44 Clipper I helicopters is R44. |
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Robinson R44 Clipper I c/n 0816 was built in 2000 by Robinson Helicopter Co. Inc. and delivered to and
assembled by Star Airservice at Teuge airfield in the Netherlands. On 30 November 2000, the Clipper was
registered PH-WRF with Helico bvba in Meer, Belgium. On 12 January 2001, the PH-WRF was registered
with Helicon BV in the Netherlands. Over the years the Helico and Helicon helicopters use the
airfield of Hoogeveen for refuelling when operated on the inspection flights for the Gasunie in the
Northern part of the Netherlands. Before the Robinson R44 entered their service, Helico operated the
smaller Robinson R22 Beta on the inspection flights. In 2008, the Clipper was sold to Tiger Helicopters in the UK and in February 2009,
Robinson R44 PH-WRF was registered with L.T.W. Alderman in Buntingford, UK. On 18 March 2009, registration PH-WRF was cancelled
as exported to the UK. The R44 Clipper I was registered G-LTWA in the UK with L.T.W. Alderman, Buntingford,
on 18 March 2009.
On 30 October 2001, the Helicon' Robinson R44 Clipper I PH-WRF was seen at Hoogeveen airfield. |
Luchtvaart déjà vu
