General Aviation

Robinson R22

Manufacturer: Robinson Helicopter Company

The Robinson R22 is a two‑seat, single‑engine light utility helicopter produced by the Robinson Helicopter Company. First designed in 1973 and certified in March 1979, it has become one of the world’s most popular primary rotorcraft trainers because of its low acquisition and operating costs.

Aircraft Facts

Type Key
robinson-r22
Class
General Aviation
Registry Count
813
Example Registration
N100WR

Specifications

Length
8.74 m / 28 ft
Height
2.72 m / 8 ft
Max Speed
189 km/h / 117 mph
Cruise Speed
178 km/h / 110 mph
Range
387 km / 209 nmi
Ceiling
4300 m / 14000 ft
First Flight
1975
Production Start
1979
Total Built
4800

Aircraft Overview

History

Robinson designed the R22 in 1973 under Frank D. Robinson. Flight testing took place at Zamperini Field, Torrance, California, with test pilot Joseph Tymczyszyn leading the program. The aircraft received FAA certification in March 1979 and entered production that same year. Since then, more than 4,800 units have been built, making it a staple of flight schools worldwide.

Design

The R22’s rotor system is semirigid with a two‑blade main rotor that teeters and has coning hinges; the tail rotor also teeters but lacks coning hinges. The helicopter uses skid landing gear, a welded chromoly steel tube frame, fiberglass forward fuselage, aluminum tailcone, and a Plexiglas canopy. Side‑by‑side seating is enclosed, and doors can be removed for weight savings or photographic missions.

Variants

Initial production was the R22 powered by an O‑320 engine. Subsequent variants include the higher‑powered HP (O‑320 B2C), Alpha (modified frame and landing gear), Beta (engine governor, optional rotor brake, auxiliary tank), and Beta II (derated O‑360 for better high‑altitude performance). Special models are the Mariner with floats, Police patrol version, IFR trainer, and the Maverick UAV derivative.

Operations

The R22 is widely used as a primary rotorcraft trainer in flight schools around the globe because of its low cost and forgiving handling when properly taught. It also serves as an entry‑level personal helicopter and a practical tool for livestock management on ranches in North America and cattle stations in Australia. Police departments, news crews, and private owners operate it for patrol, surveillance, and recreational flights.

Notable Facts

  • First R22 sold in October 1979 (S/N 003, N1010WR).
  • FAA certification was granted in March 1979.
  • By 2019, the company had produced more than 4,800 R22 helicopters.
  • The R22’s low‑inertia rotor system requires a special instructor endorsement for U.S. flight operations.
  • The Beta II variant uses a derated Lycoming O‑360 engine to improve high‑altitude hovering performance.

Variants

  • R22 BETA- 634 registrations - Example N106EH
  • R22- 129 registrations - Example N100WR
  • R22 MARINER- 34 registrations - Example N106RD
  • R22 ALPHA- 16 registrations - Example N12475

Machine-Readable Resources

Sources