Helicopters
Robinson R44
A four-seat piston helicopter for a pilot and three passengers, with under-seat baggage only and approval for day and night VFR.
Reviewed by Kevin Singh, Founder · Specifications checked against manufacturer and type certificate data · Last updated 14 September 2026
At a glance
Robinson R44 specifications
Figures are representative of the type; individual aircraft vary with configuration, load and conditions.
Where it fits
The four-seat piston helicopter for short flights
The Robinson R44 Raven II is a four-seat piston helicopter: one pilot and three passengers. It flies on a fuel-injected Lycoming IO-540 six-cylinder engine, derated to 245 hp for takeoff and 205 hp continuous.
Operation with the cabin doors removed is approved up to 100 knots, which makes it popular for aerial photography. In Kenya, the Mara Elephant Project calls the Raven II its most critical tool for protecting elephants in the Greater Mara.
The R44 was certified in 1990 and first delivered in 1993. Robinson sold its 5,000th Raven II in August 2026, and the family also includes the Raven I, Cadet and the Clipper float versions.
More than three passengers, anyone travelling with suitcases, or flights in cloud. Baggage fits only under the seats, it has one piston engine, and it is approved for VFR only. For four passengers and a real baggage hold, the R66 is the better tool.
Missions
What the desk books it for
Short scenic flights
Daylight sightseeing over the islands, the Riviera coast or the landscapes of Kenya, for up to three passengers travelling light.
Aerial photography
Doors-off flying is approved up to 100 knots, so photographers and film crews get a clear view, planned with the operator in good weather.
Quick hops across the Aegean
Mykonos to Porto Cheli is 105 NM, well inside the approximate 350 NM range Robinson publishes without reserve. The desk plans fuel and weather before it quotes.
Light-luggage transfers
Two or three people with small soft bags going from a hotel to an approved landing site, where a larger helicopter would be more aircraft than the trip needs.
Where it flies
Routes the desk flies on the R44
Sectors from our Athens and Mykonos route guides that sit inside the R44's published range. Each opens to the airports at both ends and what to know before you fly; the desk confirms the fuel plan and landing sites for the specific aircraft.
Cabin and baggage
Four seats and under-seat storage
The R44 has four seats: the pilot and three passengers. It is a compact cabin, and the weight of each person is planned against the aircraft's 1,134 kg (2,500 lb) maximum takeoff weight.
There is no separate baggage hold. Bags go in the under-seat compartments, each limited to 23 kg (50 lb), with a limit of 136 kg (300 lb) per seat including its compartment.
That means small soft bags only. Tell the desk what you are carrying when you enquire, because anything larger than an under-seat bag moves the trip to the R66 or a bigger helicopter.
Performance and airports
Speed, weather and landing sites
Robinson gives a cruise of up to 109 knots at maximum gross weight and a range of approximately 350 NM with no reserve. The never-exceed speed is 130 knots at or below 2,200 lb, and 120 knots above.
On Greek island and Riviera flights, weather is the limit before range: the R44 is approved for day and night VFR only, so low cloud or poor visibility can hold a departure. With one piston engine, the desk also looks hard at how much open water a routing crosses.
Villa lawns, hotel pads and private sites each need approval before a helicopter can land there. The desk checks the landing site, the pilot's approvals and the forecast for the specific R44 before a quote goes out.
Compare the class
R44 against the other helicopters
How the R44 lines up against the other helicopters we cover. The R66 adds a turbine, a fourth passenger seat and a baggage hold, and every turbine type we cover seats more; the R44's case is short, light flights for up to three and doors-off photography.
| Aircraft | Passengers | Range | Cruise | Engines | Luggage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leonardo A109C | Up to 7 | n/a | n/a | Twin turbine | 150 kg |
| Airbus H130 | Up to 7 | 327 NM | 128 kts | Single turbine | 39 cu ft |
| Bell 407 | Up to 6 | 337 NM | 133 kts | Single turbine | 16 cu ft |
| Airbus AS350 Ecureuil | Up to 5 | 340 NM | 136 kts | Single turbine | 35 cu ft |
| Airbus H135 | Up to 6 | 342 NM | 136 kts | Twin turbine | None |
| Robinson R44This aircraft | Up to 3 | 350 NM | 109 kts | Single piston | Under-seat only |
| Robinson R66 | Up to 4 | 350 NM | 110 kts | Single turbine | 18 cu ft |
| Airbus H120 | Up to 4 | 383 NM | 120 kts | Single turbine | 28 cu ft |
| Airbus AS355 Ecureuil 2 | Up to 5 | 395 NM | 120 kts | Twin turbine | 33 cu ft |
Chartering with Icarus Jet
How we charter the R44
We source R44s from operators vetted and approved for passenger transport, and the operator's name is on the quote. The desk checks the pilot's approvals, the landing sites at both ends and the weather minima for the flight before it checks availability, so the aircraft offered is one that genuinely fits the trip.
Quotes are all-in and itemised: aircraft and pilot, positioning, landing and handling, fuel and taxes, with nothing added after the flight that was not on the page. The number depends on where the nearest suitable helicopter is based, the dates and the landing sites, which is why we price your actual trip rather than publish a rate.
Questions
R44 questions the desk gets
How far can an R44 fly?
Robinson publishes approximately 350 NM with no reserve, without stating the fuel load behind the figure. Real flights keep a reserve, so the usable figure is lower, and the desk plans each leg against fuel, wind and weather.
How many passengers does an R44 carry?
Three, plus the pilot. It is a four-seat helicopter, and each seat has a weight limit, so the desk asks for passenger weights when you enquire.
What is the seating like?
Four seats in a compact cabin, one of them the pilot's. It suits short flights rather than long transfers.
How much luggage fits in an R44?
Only what fits under the seats. Each under-seat compartment takes up to 23 kg (50 lb), and there is no separate hold, so suitcases and golf bags do not travel on an R44.
Is the R44 a piston or turbine helicopter?
Piston. It flies on a fuel-injected Lycoming IO-540 engine. If you want a turbine in a similar size, the Robinson R66 is the next step.
Can an R44 fly at night or in cloud?
It is approved for day and night VFR only, so it does not fly in cloud. A low cloud base or poor visibility can delay or cancel a flight, and the desk plans a weather call before departure.
Can you fly an R44 with the doors off?
Yes. Operation with the cabin doors removed is approved up to 100 knots, which is why photographers use it. The desk confirms the configuration with the operator in advance.
Related
Around the R44
Get your number
Charter the R44
Send the route, the dates and the passengers. The desk checks range and baggage against the trip, then comes back with the aircraft that genuinely fit and an itemised quote.
Prefer to talk? Call +1 888 277 7203. The desk is staffed 24/7.
Comparing aircraft? Browse the Aircraft Guides in the Aviation Library, 600+ guides on chartering and operations.