R 44 Endorsement
 

I have a friend who has just got his R44 Endorsement after approx 300 hours on R 22 's. Is there a minimum of hours required that he must do solo in the R44 before he can carry a passenger/passengers? Or can he take them straight away. I am in Australia.

plus, check the insurance on the R44 - it may have a requirement for hours on type

R44 & fuel injection option
 

hi.

Some advice please:

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the fuel injection option for the R44? Is there a significant power advantage? Fuel burn?
Usage will be general charter - mainly tourist ops - 6 months in outback Qld/Nt, and 6 months coastal (if that makes any difference).

Many thanks.

Not sure about fuel burn, but you don't have to worry about carby icing with injection.

I ve been flying our Raven 1 for the last 3 years from sea level operations to confined pads at 5000', never had any problem, always kept the carb temp around 10 degrees or so. The injected model cost quite a bit more initially than a good Raven 1 and if you're starting up a tourist ops, every penny counts.
I might even consider selling my Raven 1 as we now have an EC120 as well. PM me if you're interested.
WLM:)

Raven 2
 

Despite a slightly heavier weight, you get a net gain of around 70lb in payload with the Raven 2.

Here are Raven 2 numbers.

Empty weight - 1535lbs
MAUW - 2500lbs
50 USG @ 6lb per gallon ( 14 USG per hour)

Basically, it is an excellent 3 seater with full fuel. The extra 70lb is worth having. When you consider the accident stats, fuel injection v carb is a safer option.

Hairy

For what it's worth, I owned a Hughes 269B and trained on a 300C, both with
fuel injection. "Set it and forget it" - the Bendix unit was flawless: one less thing to worry about.

Hairyplane

The Raven 1 is also very good with 3 pax only and full fuel, burning only 52 litres per hour, so more economical than the Raven 2 for less initial investment. 34 kgs or 70 lbs extra does not really justify the difference in price in my view but if you

From flying both the Raven I and Raven II for the last few years from sea level in Ireland I have learned that the Raven II is alot easier to start on those cold winter mornings. Plenty of priming required in the Raven I and only the regular amount in the Raven II.

Arm out of window has it right. Lack of carb ice and carb heat knob is #1. This makes it worth having.

The only other advantage offered by injection is better fuel distribution which makes for a smoother, more efficient engine. Hardly noticable on a 540.

Contrary to popular opinion injection does not make the engine more powerful. Other things do that.

Fuel burn is adjustable and depends how it is set up. If you get an aircraft which is excessively thirsty, tell the engineer to sort it out - NOW. Its wasteful, clogs your valves, fouls your plugs and oil and is common.

The Raven 2 has other features which make it better than a Raven 1 but these are not down to fuel injection.

Disadvantages. Cost. Hot starting can be tricky till you learn how to do it.

There's an article on the Raven II in the latest Today's Pilot (I wonder who wrote it....dum-de-dum). To quote from it...

"There are a few external differences between the Raven II and its predecessors, which Al now pointed out to me. The main and tail rotor blades have both been modified in the Raven II, and they have rounded aerodynamic tip caps to reduce noise levels. The rotor blades also have a wider chord, which means the new version is around five knots faster than the Raven I. There are two oil coolers, as the more powerful engine gets hotter and needs more cooling. The Raven II also has a higher gross weight, an increased payload, and the 28-volt electrical system means that starting is noticeably easier and more energetic than in the Raven I. And the simplest change could well be the one most appreciated by owners – the ignition key also opens all the door locks, eliminating the need for two separate keys."

There's probably more, but I can't easily separate it out from the whole article!

Raven 2
 

Remember also that you will want to pass the thing on at some stage.

The success of the 44 will mean that there will be a wide choice on the secondhand market.

Imagine trying to flog a car these days without aircon or over the next few years without SatNav! Bite the bullet, pay the money and go for the Raven 2

You know it makes sense!:ok:

Hairyplane.

Spoken like a true helicopter salesman.

Its possible that the blade changes will find their way into the aspirated engine fleet on TBO and 12 year rebuilds.

The real issue in initial purchase cost. There is a difference in the RI and RII cost.

h-r

R44 Operation Costs
 

I have a friend who is looking at training to ppl(H) level and buying a R44 for business purposes. He is a MD of a successful Australian business and would like to operate this aircraft as part of his business. Can someone refer me to an organisation/individual who would be appropriate to consult regarding this operation.

Any advice/referals welcomed.

Mr. Robinson is a straight shooter
 

I have had 2 Robinsons, both R-44 and in my veiw the opperating cost are very close to those published on the www.robinsonheli.com web site

Let the slagging begin!

R44 operating cost
 

I was doing the math recently.... you can use the pdf file about direct operating cost from the Robinson website as a guideline but you should adjust the numbers for fuel, mechanic cost with the cost from your area.
Also consider that the reserve for overhaul... you need to include cost for shipping of those items to where ever you intend to get that service.
Do you have a Robinson mechanic in your area? Include travel cost if not...
Insurance can vary quite a bit as well depending on the pilots experience.
It's a great helicopter for the money you are spending!

R44 Astro Vs R44 Raven
 

On looking to purchase either a late hydraulic Astro or an early Raven, is there any difference between the models apart from the name. One dealer is advertising a Raven but it is infact registered as an Astro. He tells me there's no difference. Help would be appreciated, oh and if anyone has one and wants an R22 as a trade-in (cash in bank ready to do transaction) let me know! Thanks

No difference, as far as I know, except paperwork and residual value. Check the hydraulic pipework where it passes behind the starboard fuel tank - some chafing can occur here which could lead to a catastrophe.

Mr Spelling, was that "of detail" or "for detail"...?:eek:

:O

What about powerplant diff b/n Raven and Astro? Or is that only Raven II?

CYHeli

R44 Clipper II with fixed floats
 

Have any PPRUNERS flown or are flying a R44 Clipper II with fixed floats. I am wondering what the cruise speed is. The Robinson web site states it takes 10 knots of the cruise speed off a raven II which is 117kts. is this a fair claim. I have only flown astros and ravens which cruise around 105kts. will a clipper II with fixed floats achive this cruise speed.