Robinson R22 Beta II vs Robinson R44 Raven I
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · re-checked on a rolling daily cycle
Robinson R22 Beta II
- For sale now
- 91
- Median asking
- $115,000
- Range
- $49,000–$388,600
- Model years available
- 1996–2026
Robinson R44 Raven I
- For sale now
- 113
- Median asking
- $227,000
- Range
- $89,423–$439,500
- Model years available
- 1998–2026
Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.
Safety Record
Absolute counts scale with fleet size — the most-produced types log more events without being less safe. Compare the % fatal.
| NTSB (1982–now) | Robinson R22 Beta II | Robinson R44 Raven I |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 15 | 4 |
| Serious | 3 | 0 |
| Fatal | 2 | 2 |
| Fatalities | 2 | 3 |
| % Fatal | 13% | 50% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Robinson R22 Beta II | Robinson R44 Raven I |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $49,000 – $388,600 | $89,423 – $439,500 |
| Category | Piston Helicopters | Piston Helicopters |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 2 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 131 HP | 225 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 95 kts (176 km/h) | 109 kts (202 km/h) |
| Range | 240 nm (444 km) | 300 nm (556 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 14,000 ft (4,267 m) | 14,000 ft (4,267 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 1,370 lbs (621 kg) | 2,400 lbs (1,089 kg) |
| Useful Load | 490 lbs (222 kg) | 882 lbs (400 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 27.0 gal (102 L) | 31.0 gal (117 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 9.0 GPH (34 L/h) | 15.0 GPH (57 L/h) |
| TBO | 2,200 hrs | 2,200 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $60,000 | $150,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $15,000 | $25,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $140 | $200 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateRobinson R22 Beta II
Fuel$50/hr
Variable$140/hr
Annual Fixed$15,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$43,000/yr
Robinson R44 Raven I
Fuel$82/hr
Variable$200/hr
Annual Fixed$25,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$65,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Robinson R22 Beta II or Robinson R44 Raven I?
Pick the R22 Beta II if…
- Budget matters — from $49,000 vs $89,423, you save ~$40,423.
- Lower operating cost — ~$140/hr vs $200/hr.
Pick the R44 Raven I if…
- More seats — 4 vs 2.
- Faster cruise — 109 kts vs 95 kts.
- Longer range — 300 nm vs 240 nm.
- Newer design — production from 2000 vs 1995.
- More inventory — 111 listings vs 88.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Robinson R22 Beta II or Robinson R44 Raven I?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The R22 Beta II cruises at 95 kts with 240 nm range.
The R44 Raven I cruises at 109 kts with 300 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Robinson R22 Beta II: from $463,000.
Robinson R44 Raven I: from $97,469.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Robinson R22 Beta II and Robinson R44 Raven I?
R22 Beta II engine: Lycoming O-360-J2A (131 hp).
R44 Raven I engine: Lycoming O-540-F1B5 (225 hp).
Seats: 2 vs 4.
Cruise: 95 vs 109 kts.
Range: 240 vs 300 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
R22 Beta II: about $140/hr variable cost.
R44 Raven I: about $200/hr variable cost.
Variable cost includes fuel, reserves and overhaul accruals. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, annual inspection) add to the total.
Which has more seats and useful load?
R22 Beta II: 2 seats / 490 lb useful load.
R44 Raven I: 4 seats / 882 lb useful load.
Useful load = max gross weight minus empty weight; it determines how much fuel plus payload you can carry.
How does maintenance compare — TBO and overhaul cost?
R22 Beta II: 2,200-hour TBO, overhaul ~$60,000.
R44 Raven I: 2,200-hour TBO, overhaul ~$150,000.
Reaching the time-between-overhaul (TBO) triggers a mandatory engine/airframe rebuild that affects resale value.
Disclaimer: All prices and cost estimates are from third-party sources for informational purposes only. Always obtain professional appraisal and inspection before purchase.
Prices re-checked on a rolling cycle — most within a few days · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data