Robinson Special Federal Aviation Regulation 73 (SFAR 73) is the FAA-mandated training and recurrent currency framework for R22 / R44 PIC operations. It sets minimum hour requirements before solo, before carrying passengers, and before acting as instructor; biannual recurrent training; and specific awareness training on low-rotor-RPM and low-G mast-bumping events. Every R22 / R44 PIC must comply with SFAR 73 in addition to the standard Part 61 / Part 91 requirements.

Why is the Robinson 12-year overhaul cycle a big deal?

Robinson Helicopter requires factory overhaul of major airframe and dynamic components every 12 years or 2,200 flight hours, whichever comes first. This is unusual among helicopters and substantially affects the type's depreciation curve and operating-cost model — schools must build the overhaul reserve into hourly rates. A newly-overhauled R22 / R44 holds premium pricing on the used market because the buyer gets a fresh 12-year clock.

What is the R44 Cadet?

The R44 Cadet (introduced 2017) is a two-seat training-only variant of the R44. The rear seats are removed and the airframe is configured for a lighter MTOW so schools can run R44-class training (four-seat airframe handling, IO-540 engine, faster cruise) without paying the operating cost of carrying the full Raven cabin. Targets the growing demand for R44 training without forcing schools to standardise on the more expensive Raven II.

How much does an R22 cost to operate?

Hourly direct operating cost typically lands between $195 and $295 per hour for an R22 burning 100LL at 8.5 gph, including fuel, Lycoming engine reserves, and the Robinson 12-year / 2,200-hour overhaul reserve. The 12-year overhaul reserve is a substantial component — roughly $40-60/hour amortised across the airframe's overhaul cycle. Excludes hangar, insurance, capital, and instructor.

Robinson Helicopter Company

R22 / R44 family

Helicopter (piston)Helicopter trainer1980s–1990sin production

Power: 145 hp
Cruise: 96 kt
MTOW: 1,370 lb
Range: 240 nm
Fuel: 100LL avgas

Reference data only — never for flight planning or operational use.

This entry is a fleet-research reference for flight school operators. Always consult the actual aircraft's POH (Pilot's Operating Handbook), the manufacturer's latest service documents, and the relevant FAA / EASA TCDS for any operational decision — flight planning, weight and balance, performance calculations, fuel loading, regulatory compliance, or maintenance scheduling. Numbers shown here are POH-typical for the family's representative variant under standard conditions and are not a substitute for type- and airframe-specific data.

Editorial confidence: High confidenceLast reviewed 2026-05-05

4 primary sources cited (POH / TCDS / type-club). Spec data and regulatory positioning are well-attributed; narrative synthesis is editorial.

View 3 disclaimers specific to this entry

Performance data
Reference data only — never use this entry for flight planning, weight and balance, performance calculations, fuel loading, or any operational decision. Numbers shown are POH-typical for the family's representative variant and standard conditions. Real-world numbers vary by airframe age, weight, density altitude, engine condition, and configuration. Always consult the actual aircraft's POH and the manufacturer's latest service documents.
Cost data
Cost ranges are illustrative reference figures for fleet planning. Actual acquisition, rental, and operating costs vary substantially by region, airframe age, engine and avionics generation, and local market conditions. Numbers should be validated against current quotes from local brokers, schools, and maintenance providers before any commercial decision.
Operator list
Operator lists capture schools and programmes we know to fly the type at scale. Lists are not exhaustive, may include operators that have changed fleets since publication, and should be treated as starting points for verification rather than current customer lists.

🇺🇸Specs shown in Imperial.

Performance

Cruise speed (Vc)96 kt
Never-exceed speed (Vne)102 kt
Stall (landing config) (Vs0)0 kt
Climb rate1,000 fpm
Service ceiling14,000 ft
Range240 nm
Endurance2 h
Takeoff roll0 ft
Landing roll0 ft

Weights

MTOW1,370 lb
Empty weight855 lb
Useful load515 lb
Baggage capacity50 lb

Dimensions

Wingspan25.2 ft
Length28.7 ft
Height8.9 ft
Cabin width36 in

Powerplant

EngineLycoming O-360-J2A (derated) — 145 hp · 100LL · 8.5 gph
Total horsepower145 hp
Primary fuel100LL avgas
Unleaded pathG100UL eligible (STC available)

Cockpit & avionics

Cockpit typeanalog
Autopilot commonly availableNo
Typical packages
- Six-pack analog with single nav/com— as-delivered
- Garmin G500 TXi / G3X retrofits— modern retrofit option (more common on R44)
Training note
R22 cockpits remain predominantly analog as delivered. R44 Raven II airframes increasingly receive Garmin G500 TXi / G3X retrofits at IFR-capable schools.

Certification

RegulatoryFAR Part 27 · EASA CS-27
Certified rolesNormal category helicopter
IFRNo
Spin approvedNo
Aerobatic-categoryNo
TailwheelNo
Complex (FAR 61.31)No
High-performance (FAR 61.31)No

Why is the R22 / R44 family popular?

Structured popularity-driver evidence. Each axis below carries one factual statement; we don't grade, the facts speak.

Production volume

Approximately 11,500 R22 and R44 airframes built since 1979 — by a wide margin the most-produced civil helicopter in history and the dominant rotary-wing trainer worldwide.

Industry network effects

By a wide margin the most common helicopter trainer at Part 141 schools, EASA ATOs, and helicopter operator pipelines globally. The R22 is the canonical entry-point helicopter trainer; the R44 is the canonical step-up to the four-seat IFR-capable type.

Operating economics

R22 is the cheapest certified helicopter to acquire and operate by a wide margin — sub-$300/hour operating cost makes it economically viable for the high-utilisation cadet pipeline that more expensive helicopters can't sustain.

Regulatory fit

Robinson SFAR 73 (Special Federal Aviation Regulation) sets specific training and recurrent currency requirements for R22 / R44 PIC operations, supported by the Robinson Safety Course factory programme — every R22 / R44 transition pilot completes structured Robinson factory or factory-aligned training.

Fuel future-proofing

Lycoming O-360-J2A and O-540 / IO-540 are on Lycoming's documented G100UL compatibility path, giving the active R22 / R44 fleet a path off 100LL without engine swap.

How flight schools track this aircraft in Aviatize

Helicopter schools running R22 / R44 fleets configure them in Aviatize with engine reserves against the Lycoming TBO and a separate 12-year / 2,200-hour Robinson factory-overhaul reserve as a recurring maintenance item. The SFAR 73 currency requirements (R22 PIC minimums, R44 PIC minimums, biannual recurrent training, Robinson Safety Course currency) are commonly modelled as per-pilot validation rules that gate booking creation. Insurance-required currency is tracked alongside.

schedulingtraining managementaircraft maintenancebillingcompliance

Sources

Provenance for the data on this entry. Primary sources are POH / TCDS / manufacturer pages; derived sources record where Aviatize editorial synthesis is layered on top.

Primary sourcePOH·Retrieved 2026-05-05
Robinson Helicopter Company
https://robinsonheli.com/r22/
Robinson Helicopter R22 product page.
Primary sourcePOH·Retrieved 2026-05-05
Robinson Helicopter Company
https://robinsonheli.com/r44-raven-ii/
Robinson Helicopter R44 Raven II product page.
Primary sourceFAA TCDS·Retrieved 2026-05-05
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/H10WE
FAA TCDS H10WE covers Robinson R22 / R44 variants.
Primary sourceManufacturer brief·Retrieved 2026-05-05
Robinson Helicopter Company
https://robinsonheli.com/safety-course/
Robinson Safety Course — factory transition / recurrent training.
Editorial synthesisAviatize-internal·Retrieved 2026-05-05
Aviatize editorial
Entry authored by Aviatize from accumulated industry knowledge cross-referenced against the primary sources cited above. Specific fleet figures, fleet wins, and recent production status changes are research-backlog candidates and should be verified against primary sources before flipping verified: true.

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