The Robinson R22


The most common training helicopter in the world is the Robinson R22, though it was never intended to be a trainer. It was designed in the 1970s as a light-weight, low-maintenance, simple-to-fly commuter vehicle, but this use never caught on (it was probably the closest anyone got to fulfilling the dream of a viable flying car). As it was also relatively inexpensive, it quickly caught on as a trainer.

Even though it was widely adopted, it is not ideal for training. It's low weight, and consequently low power, make it very sluggish and non-responsive in handling. Most students (particularly those without prior aircraft experience) need to establish a quick relationship between action and response in order to learn a maneuver. The R22's sluggishness masks that relationship.

The R22 also has a serious weight limitation. If both student and instructor are typically well-fed adults, the weight of both will max out the carrying capacity of the craft at just half a tank of fuel. This limits flight time. The Robinson R44 is much better suited for training (more power and responsiveness, higher weight limits), but can cost up to twice as much as an R22 and therefore has less market penetration at flight schools.