Learning to fly in a Robinson R22 Helicopter: The Pros and Cons
- Wayne Froome
- Sep 26, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: May 19
Pro: Robinson R22
Cost - The R22 is the most popular training helicopter used in flight schools because of its low cost, therefore, availability for hire during and after training around the world is good.
The R22 opened up the helicopter flight training market due to the lower cost when the main competitors were the Hughes 300, Bell 47, and the Enstrom F28.
Reliable, all Robinsons are rebuilt at a twelve-year or 2200 flying hours schedule. Therefore, the airframe and components are effectively reset to zero hours and date.
83Kts cruise speed
Manoeuvrable with very responsive handling.
Stowage under the seats - soft bags only.
Cons: Robinson R22
The R22 was never designed to be a training helicopter, the R44 is actually the preferred trainer by Robinson, and it has flight characteristics that can be a challenge, costing more flight training hours that offset its cheaper hourly costs. The primary of these is its two bladed low inertia rotor system. Loss of rotor RPM is a major safety issue in any helicopter and the cause of many accidents. Having a low inertia rotor system is no problem in powered flight if power is available and the governor and throttle is managed properly, however, it makes the R22 harder to fly in autorotation as you need faster reaction times where management of the rotor RPM is crucial. Learning this skill takes time and can take longer in an R22 compared to other aircraft. It is recommended that engine off landing training is conducted to a hover power recovery to reduce the risk of damage in a practice engine off landings. Therefore, you will only carry out a few engine off landings to the ground in training – if at all. In any helicopter with a two bladed rotor system, it is susceptible to control problems if allowed to get into a low G situation, often caused due to turbulence or pilot mishandling– not a desirable outcome.
Size: if you are tall, well-built or broad-shouldered this is not the helicopter for you as the cockpit can be snug. There is a seat weight limitation of 17 stone as part of the crashworthiness design, this also includes the contents under the seat too. You may well feel squeezed in and, as a result, be less comfortable and take longer to pick up the sensitive control inputs required to fly this highly responsive machine.
T-bar cyclic control: some people do not like this Robinson design in the R22/R44/R66 and claim that it is not like flying a "proper" helicopter with a traditional between-the-legs cyclic. This is purely personal preference, and if staying on Robinson types not an issue.
Tail rotor pedals are not adjustable, so it's a one size fits all.
Power can be limited.
The R22 (like The R44) has an electric throttle governor that controls the engine and rotor RPM when turned on and active. This means that minimal time is spent practicing manual throttle control. While this is not major issue, knowledge of throttle control is important even when you go onto flying turbine helicopters. The permitted range for engine and rotor RPM in the R22 Beta 2 as an example, is limited which makes some training exercises hard to demonstrate.
At H Heli's we prefer the Schweizer S300CBi over the Robinson R22. Come fly the Schweizer and see and feel the difference - you can book your Pilot Intro Pack directly below:
