Robinson R44

[Runway101]

Originally Posted by jackboot

Both have bubble windows, neither have the spoiler(?) mod to the front of the door frame that is supposed to either prevent or reduce the suck-out.

It's called Wind Deflector in the RHC parts catalog, but isn't this for flying with doors off? Saw it on some orange Clippers with floats at the factory (Malaysia registered if I recall that correctly) and that was explained to me. These spoilers shouldn't be hard to fit afterwards.


By the way, I've seen an R44 Raven II that had kind of a handle bar left and right at the tailcone just where the strobe light sits. I couldn't find this in the parts catalog. It looks a bit like this stuff, but much shorter:
http://www.lakewoodconferences.com/d...Handle_Bar.jpg

Any idea what this is for?

[Practice Auto 3,2,1]

Runway101

That 'handlebar' is an antenna, well two of them, for, I think, the nav instruments. They were installed for a while on factory new R44 II's 18 months or so ago.

As per here (not a member of said site, just one of the first Google Image results)

[Paul Cantrell]

The pedals, and all the controls for that matter, are a lot stiffer than the older machine. Is this related to excess 'newness' friction in the yaw control system?

Jack, that's just all the spherical bearings in the control rods that haven't broken in/loosened up yet. It'll take care of itself in the first hundred hours or so. Nothing to worry about.

[Jackboot]

Tail wag

Thanks Paul,

A very helpful response that has put my mind at rest.

VBR

Jack

[Freefall77]

Tail Wag

I also get the tail wag but only when im light (No passengers)
If you fly a small bit out of trim it goes away.

[61 Lafite]

I get the same problem in a 6 month old R22 Raven II, mostly with just me in it and full fuel.

A little bit of pedal seems to make it go away. It's definitely an aerodynamic issue, nothing to do with torque. I suspect it's also related to when there's a reasonable quartering tailwind component.

The one I fly has plain windows (not bubble) - I was told that the wing-effect pulling the doors open and the reduction in VNE made it not worthwhile.

I'd love to know what causes the wag - it was a cause for some concern the first time it happened! Several people who regularly fly older 44s didn't seem to have ever felt it, so maybe it's a feature of the later models?

Lafite

[Jackboot]

Tail wag

Hi Lafite,

The windows do give you a lot more shoulder room in the cockpit. You can also see straight down...which is nice....

They do knock IRO 5kts off the max cruise according to RHC so there is a price to pay.

All the best

JB

[Auschick]

495 Mounts

Anyone suggest a good 495 mount for the R44(not the cyclic one)? Looking at one of the RAM suction mounts, like Ram Mounting Systems - Products, guessing to be fixed above instrument panel? Although I have seen a suction mount mounted near the pilots right knee...Thanks for your help

[Hover Bovver]

I think you will find that the tail wag in the Raven 11 is mentined in the RFM, and the required reaction.

[JimBall]

Auschick: RAM suction mounts OK - but a bit wobbly.

We have these fitted from Robin Aviation : excellent. GPS Mount bracket for the Robinson R44 helicopter

[Auschick]

Noise

Thanks JimBall, will try a RAM and see how it goes.

Anyone know of where I can find ICAO Annex 13 or just the info from it pertaining noise limits for small helis? (Apart from buying it) AND does anyone have any info they could email me on noise studies done on R44 (preferably Raven II), mainly for take off and landing stages?

[nellycopter]

Is it ok for a R44 to live outside all its life ?

hi guys,
has anyone kept a 44 outside in all weather for its entire life ?
and does it shorten any particular part life sooner ?
cheers

[Brilliant Stuff]

I would have thought corrosion is your enemy as is the sunshine.(rubber)

[Jackboot]

Corrosion

My 'aircon-hangared privately owned, never got wet' R44 started festering big-time within its first year/ 200 hrs. through corrosion The entire tailboom, tailplane and tank panels had to be refinished.

What happened about it?

How much time have we both got.......but suffice it to say RHC didnt pick the tab up or admit any liability.

Short answer? If its 2-3 years old and didnt have the previously unecessary corrosion treatment ( RHC changed their paint primer to a more eco-friendly/ less effective product ..) then dont leave it in the wet for a single minute.

My new machine has the additional factory corrosion proofing that should be standard now in view of the otherwise inevitable consequences.

A terrific flying machine.

As a devout R44 follower I think RHC treated me very badly.

They obviously dont care about customer referrals, or at least didint then.

I bet they will now though, especially in the current global meltdown and with the Dollar making it a much more expensive machine in one of their biggest markets.

JB

[Runway101]

There are treatments that prevent corrosion, can be done with your annual for instance. It's basically like covering your complete ship in and out with something like WD40 but more expensive and approved for aviation usage.

Google Corrosion X or check here:
CorrosionX Aviation

[SADDLER]

Starting a Raven 2

Could someone please tell me how to start a Raven 2.Thank You.

[ReverseFlight]

Hi SADDLER,

I have flown Raven 2s in Australia and the US some time ago but just realised I didn't have a checklist in my archives either. I therefore Googled and found this:

PilotWeb

Hope this helps. It certainly refreshed my memory. If you're doing an endorsement, try to get your hands on the POH.

[SADDLER]

Reverse Flight
Thanks a lot.
Saddler

[Jaye321]

R44 Raven 11

Any ideas to were I can get the rear exhaust section(muffler with heater wrap round) ASAP

[bvgs]

Sadler, They're all different but heres what I do! Mixture full and rich, prime for 5 secs, leave full and rich and crank. If hot, mixture full and rich, prime 2-3 secs, mixture pulled out. Crank until it fires and immeadiately shove mixture in. IT will take a few cranks to fire especially when hot. Some people will say to pull mixture out even when cold but I find the above works for me. A total pain in the a**e when hot. Any other probs PM me.