extra fuel tanks for Robinson R44

[marinacassar]

Can someone guide me about possibility of installing 2 extra fuel tanks of approx. 60ltr each under the passenger seats of Robinson R44 pls? my father owns Robinson R44 (currently doing his course) and he asked me to search on the net the prices for such extra fuel tanks as he is Russian speaking so I'm his translator:)

[AdamFrisch]

You should post this in the Rotorheads section and you'll get an answer within minutes.

[heli14]

Don't know personally, but I would have thought HeliAir (www.heliair.com (http://www.heliair.com)) or Sloane (www.sloanehelicopters.com) (http://www.sloanehelicopters.com)) should be able to advise.

Failing that, try contacting Q at HQ Aviation (www.hqaviationltd.com (http://www.hqaviationltd.com)) - he's flown round the world in a 44, so must have some knowledge of fitting extra fuel tanks!

[Helinut]

If the RHC specific sources are no use, you could try contacting turtlepacfromOZ who make one-off tanks for things like ferrying.

This would be a mod, so if your R44 is operating somewhere like EASA land, it would need to come with a mod approval. Otherwise you would be into mega bucks for paperwork.

Do consider the effect on mass and balance of whatever you plan to use,of course. Overweight R44s are not nice!

[Hughes500]

Hope you are not putting 4 people in !

[cockney steve]

Thought it was illegal to put stuff under the seats, arent they supposed to crumple into the space in event of a "very heavy" arrival.?

[marinacassar]

thanks to everyone for replying! I don't know anything about illegal or legal it is to place extra fuel tanks under the passenger seats - will be checking on that one too! thanks again guys!

[500e]

http://www.robinsonheli.com/srvclib/ki-196.pdf
Step 1

[marinacassar]

thanks for providing link. however, those are the compulsory replacement of the old type aluminium tanks with the new bladder type ones. my father has bought his Robinson recently with already new type of tank...what he needs is extra tanks so he can fly longer hours without need of refuelling...in Russia the distances are huge and very few places where you'd find special fuel...

[EddieHeli]

if landing is an option he can use external pods or racks to carry fuel cans, as used in places like alaska.

Welcome (http://alaskarack.com/Site/Welcome.html)

Simplex Aerospace Robinson R44 Helipod external cargo pods brochures and pictures (http://www.simplex.aero/helipod/)

http://www.avionlogistics.com.hk/PDF/dart%20cata%202011/DART_2011_Robinson.pdf

[500e]

Turtlepac (http://www.turtlepac.com/)
Collapsible Aircraft Ferry Tanks - Turtlepac (http://www.turtlepac.com/products/aircargo-fuel-bladder-tanks.html)
Worth a call

[WLM]

Wow 500E, what a wonderful idea; I wished I had known about these tanks before spending EUR200K to have a ferry tank fitted to my EC135.... only giving me170kg extra of JetA1...

That looks like your best option marinacassar

[marinacassar]

wow! these links look like exactly what we are looking for! thank you!!!!:ok: