The Robinson R44 Clipper I is a four-seat light utility helicopter powered
by a single Lycoming O-540 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 of which
already over 3600 are delivered to customers all over the world.
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.
Luchtvaart déjà vu
