2026 Robinson R-44 Cadet

The Robinson R44 Cadet is a two-seat training and utility variant announced in 2015 and delivered from 2016. The rear seats are removed and replaced by a cargo area, and the Lycoming O-540 is derated to 210 hp take-off, lowering the gross weight to 2,200 lb. Crucially for flight schools, the Cadet has an extended 2,400-hour time between overhauls (versus 2,200 hours on other R44s), reducing training cost per hour. It bridges the gap between the two-seat R22 and the four-seat Raven, and used examples generally sell between $350,000 and $560,000. Buy it if you run a school or build hours and want R44 handling; choose a four-seat R44 if you need to carry passengers, or an R22 for the lowest training cost.