Robinson R22
Robinson · United States · first flew 1975 · helicopter
The R22 is a tiny two-seat piston helicopter that became the world's most popular primary trainer for civil pilots.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.76 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Tiny two-seat bubble cockpit on skids
- Two-blade teetering rotor with a T-bar cyclic
- Lightweight slim tail boom — smallest of the common helicopters
Look for the very small two-seat bubble, skids, slim tail boom and two-blade rotor; it is markedly smaller than any turbine helicopter and uniquely runs on a piston engine.
Specifications
- The Robinson R22 has a length of 8.76 m (29 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 7.67 m (25 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 180 km/h (112 mph).
- Typical crew: 1-2 (pilot and student).
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed by Frank Robinson, the R22 first flew in 1975 and entered production in 1979 as a low-cost light helicopter. Its affordability made it the dominant training type, though its light rotor demands careful handling.
Variants
The Alpha, Beta and current Beta II variants share the airframe, alongside the larger four-seat R44 and turbine R66 that followed.
Where you'll see it
The R22 is the backbone of UK civil helicopter flying schools, where most private and many commercial rotary pilots earn their first licence before moving to larger types.
Related aircraft
- Aérospatiale AS365 Dauphin 2
- Aérospatiale SA 365 C Dauphin 2
- Boeing AH-64 Apache
- Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin
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