Robinson R22 Beta Helicopter 1990s
1990s helicopters include Bell 407 (1996+), Eurocopter EC120/130 (late decade), MD 600N, continued Bell 206 production. Rolls-Royce 250-series turbines from this era are reliable; component-overhaul cycles drive ownership cost. Avionics typically Honeywell or original-spec; many have undergone glass-cockpit retrofit. Pre-buy: turbine hot section, transmission, rotor head and tail rotor blade hours.
The Robinson R22 Beta (1985–1995) added an optional engine governor, rotor brake and auxiliary fuel tank over the original R22, with the carbureted Lycoming O-320-B2C. It was the mainstream R22 trainer until the Beta II superseded it in 1995.
As an older airframe its price is driven almost entirely by hours remaining to the 2,200-hour / 12-year overhaul; budget examples start low but a near-overhaul aircraft can cost more all-in than a higher-priced Beta II.
Buy it if you want a proven, affordable trainer with plenty of choice on the market; step up to the Beta II if you regularly fly hot-and-high.
34 used Robinson R22 Beta helicopters for sale 1990s · 2-seat · Used median asking $96,000 · updated 2 hours ago
Robinson R22 Beta Specifications
Model specThe Robinson R22 Beta is a 2-seat piston helicopters with a cruise speed of 95–96 kt (176–178 km/h), a range of 209–240 nm (387–444 km), and a useful load of 390–490 lbs (177–222 kg).
Robinson R22 Beta for Sale
Browse all listings →Robinson R22 Beta asking prices range from $18,000 to $229,000, with a median of $96,000 (market reference $120,000).
Robinson R22 Beta Variants
| Variant | Years | Seats | Cruise | Range | Useful load | Price range | Best for | Listings for sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R22 | 1979–now | 2 | 96 kts (178 km/h) | 209 nm (387 km) | 454 lbs (206 kg) | $99K – $299K | Learning to fly and building hours — the world's standard trainer with the lowest operating cost | 4 |
| R22 Alpha | 1983–1985 | 2 | 96 kts (178 km/h) | 209 nm (387 km) | 390 lbs (177 kg) | — | Lowest-cost entry into ownership | 1 |
| R22 Beta II | 1995–now | 2 | 95 kts (176 km/h) | 240 nm (444 km) | 490 lbs (222 kg) | $49K – $359K | Schools and owners wanting the newest airframe | 57 |
Compare Robinson R22 Beta
See how the Robinson R22 Beta stacks up against similar aircraft in specs, price, and operating costs.
⏲ Compare R44 vs R22 vs R66 →Robinson R22 Beta Price & Cost
How much does a Robinson R22 Beta cost? Used R22 Beta prices: $18K – $229K, average $96K (median $96K); market reference $120K, across 42 priced of 34 active listings.
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 Beta 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 $49,000 (1999 models) · highest around $442,000 (2024). Bars scaled across the range to show the depreciation curve; hover for exact medians.
Buying a Used Robinson R22 Beta
Every Robinson R22 Beta 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 Beta
What is the difference between R22 Beta and Beta II?
How much does an R22 Beta cost?
What is the R22 overhaul schedule?
Is the R22 Beta still a good trainer?
Robinson R22 Beta Inventory by Country
| United States | 46 |
| United Kingdom | 4 |
| France | 2 |
| Ireland | 1 |
Robinson R22 Beta Inventory by State
| Florida | 4 |
| California | 2 |
| New York | 2 |
| Utah | 2 |
Robinson R22 Beta by Price
| Under $100k | 58 |
| Under $200k | 92 |
| Under $300k | 104 |
| Under $500k | 115 |
Recently Sold Robinson R22 Beta
| 1990 R22 Beta | $170,000 |
| 1990 R22 Beta | $170,000 |
| 1990 R22 Beta | $170,000 |
| 1990 R22 Beta | $170,000 |
| 1989 R22 Beta | $103,523 |
| 1990 R22 Beta | $170,000 |
Robinson R22 Beta Safety Record
Across all R22 Beta variants, 168 NTSB-recorded events are on file from 1989–2025. As with any aircraft, most outcomes depend on pilot training, maintenance and operating conditions rather than the airframe itself.
168
Total Events
96
Incidents
17
Serious
25
Fatal
Most Recent Events
| Date | Location | Severity | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 27, 2025 | QLD, | Incident | — |
| May 14, 2023 | Brady, TX | Fatal (1) | The non-certificated pilot’s failure to ensure the collective friction control was adequately engaged during an on-groun… |
| Oct 28, 2016 | Asherton, TX | Incident | The partial loss of engine power due to the failure of the magneto's internal timing during low-altitude maneuvering. |
| Apr 06, 2016 | Bern, | Incident | — |
| Feb 01, 2013 | Gillett, TX | Serious | A loss of tail rotor effectiveness while manuevering at low altitude. |
NTSB records 1989–2025. Includes all Robinson R22 Beta variants. Events ≠ aircraft fault.