Robinson R22 Alpha Helicopter in Illinois
Illinois has a strong GA market centred on Chicago (DuPage, Waukegan, Aurora) and downstate (Champaign, Bloomington). The Midwest aviation industry includes major MRO and refurbishment shops. Flat terrain makes Illinois ideal for training and cross-country flying.
· 2-seat · updated recently
About the Robinson R22 Alpha
The Robinson R22 Alpha (1983–1985) was an improved early R22 with revised landing-gear geometry for a better ground attitude, using the Lycoming O-320-B2C. It is a now-rare, low-cost two-seat trainer whose value is dominated by hours remaining to the 2,200-hour / 12-year overhaul.
Buy it if entry price is the only priority and your mission is low and light; choose a Beta or Beta II for more power and a larger used pool.
Robinson R22 Alpha Specifications
Model specThe Robinson R22 Alpha is a 2-seat piston helicopters with a cruise speed of 96 kt (178 km/h), a range of 209 nm (387 km).
Robinson R22 Alpha Listings
No Robinson R22 Alpha currently listed for sale.
This page updates automatically the moment one is listed — check back soon, or browse the Robinson range.
Compare Robinson R22 Alpha
See how the Robinson R22 Alpha stacks up against similar aircraft in specs, price, and operating costs.
⏲ Compare Robinson R22 generations →Robinson R22 Alpha Price & Cost
Key price factors: engine time to overhaul, year and airframe hours, avionics, damage history and logbook completeness — see the buying guide below for the full pre-purchase checklist.
Robinson R22 Alpha Value by Model Year
Median asking price by year of manufacture. Newer airframes command a premium; value falls with age then plateaus on older models.
Lowest around $43,000 (1990 models) · highest around $393,500 (2026). Bars scaled across the range to show the depreciation curve; hover for exact medians.
Buying a Used Robinson R22 Alpha
Every Robinson R22 Alpha faces a mandatory 2,200-hour overhaul, so the single biggest factor in used price is how much time remains before that overhaul is due — a fresh-overhaul airframe can be worth a large share of the $120,000 overhaul cost more than one approaching its limit.
What to check before buying
- Time to overhaul — hours and years remaining to the 2,200-hour limit; this dominates resale value more than total time.
- Logbook completeness — continuous, gap-free maintenance records; missing logs cut value and complicate financing.
- Damage history — any prior accident, hard landing or blade strike; cross-check the registration against accident databases.
- Avionics — a glass panel vs steam gauges materially changes price.
- Pre-buy inspection — always commission an independent inspection by a type-experienced mechanic before money changes hands.
Frequently Asked Questions — Robinson R22 Alpha
How much does an R22 Alpha cost?
How does the Alpha differ from the original R22?
Is the R22 Alpha still flyable as a trainer?
What is the R22 overhaul interval?
Robinson R22 Alpha Inventory by Country
| United States | 113 |
| Italy | 6 |
| Australia | 5 |
| Austria | 4 |
| United Kingdom | 3 |
| Canada | 2 |
Robinson R22 Alpha Inventory by State
| California | 3 |
| Florida | 2 |
| Illinois | 2 |
| Utah | 2 |
Robinson R22 Alpha by Price
| Under $100k | 52 |
| Under $200k | 86 |
| Under $300k | 94 |
| Under $500k | 107 |
Recently Sold Robinson R22 Alpha
| 1990 R22 Beta | $170,000 |
| 1990 R22 Beta | $170,000 |
| 1989 R22 Beta | $103,523 |
| 2005 R22 Beta II | $302,329 |
| 2000 R22 Beta II | $199,000 |
| 1990 R22 Beta | $170,000 |
Other Robinson Helicopters
| Robinson R44 | 466 |
| Robinson R22 | 146 |
| Robinson R66 | 87 |
| Robinson R88 | 3 |
Robinson R22 Alpha Safety Record
Across all R22 Alpha variants, 1 NTSB-recorded events are on file from 2004–2004. As with any aircraft, most outcomes depend on pilot training, maintenance and operating conditions rather than the airframe itself.
Most Recent Events
| Date | Location | Severity | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 28, 2004 | Mount Clemens, MI | Fatal (1) | A loss of control in flight for undetermined reasons. |
NTSB records 2004–2004. Includes all Robinson R22 Alpha variants. Events ≠ aircraft fault.