Home / Helicopter types / Robinson R44
Passengers, engines, size and weight of the Robinson R44, and what they mean for a private landing site.
Robinson R44 (Raven I / Raven II / Clipper) is made by Robinson Helicopter Company. Whether it is used on UK charter flights: Verify. The figures below are the manufacturer’s or the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) type-certificate data; each is tagged verified on the cited document or Verify.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Engines | 1 x Lycoming piston (O-540-F1B5 on R44; IO-540-AE1A5 on R44 II) (R44 / R44 II) |
| Passengers (maximum, not a typical charter layout) | 3 (R44 II) |
| Typical cruise speed | 109 kt (R44 Raven II) |
| Range | 350 nm (R44 Raven II) |
| Main rotor diameter | 10.06 m (R44 / R44 II) |
| Overall length, rotors turning | not confirmed Verify |
| Overall height | 3.28 m (R44 / R44 II) |
| Maximum take-off weight | 1134 kg (R44 II (Raven I: 1,089 kg)) |
Figures vary by variant and weight option. Passenger numbers are a manufacturer or EASA maximum; VIP layouts carry fewer. Overall length with the rotors turning is the figure used to size a landing area and was found only for some types.
Single or twin. This is single-engine. UK guidance says helicopters must use Performance Class 1 to operate in congested areas, and that single-engine helicopters under Part CAT cannot use congested-area sites (CAP 3043, 3.3). Read in the source
These airfields state a helicopter or visitor policy on their own websites and, in open data (OurAirports), have a runway at least 16 m long and wide (1.5 times the rotor diameter, which is the lowest the area could be). This is size only. It does not mean the airfield accepts this type: contact it first.
See also all heliports, airfields and venues. Heliport sizes are not in open data.
The maximum figure we could verify is 3 (passengers (plus pilot; Robinson page says four seats)). A charter cabin usually has fewer seats.
It depends on the helicopter’s overall size with the rotors turning (the main rotor alone is 10.06 m across), the surface, the obstacles and the operator’s own rules. UK guidance for pleasure-flying and feeder sites asks for a landing and take-off area at least 1.5D wide. The pilot in command decides on the day.
It is single-engine (1 x Lycoming piston (O-540-F1B5 on R44; IO-540-AE1A5 on R44 II)).
Maximum take-off weight is 1,134 kg (R44 II (Raven I: 1,089 kg)), per EASA TCDS IM.R.121 III.12; Robinson page agrees (1,134 kg).
Where a line is tagged Verify we could not read the primary text, or the source does not state it. Treat it as unconfirmed until you have checked.
