R44 Raven II

The Robinson R44 Raven II is the world's best-selling civil helicopter of the modern era and the aircraft that made turbine-like utility accessible on a piston budget. A four-seat, single-engine helicopter, it dominates private ownership, flight training and light utility work through a combination of low acquisition and running cost, simplicity and a support network that reaches almost everywhere general aviation flies.

Powered by a fuel-injected Lycoming piston engine, it offers hydraulically assisted controls and, in current form, a Garmin glass avionics option, seating a pilot and three passengers. Its running costs are a fraction of a turbine helicopter's, which is why it underpins so many training fleets and first-time owner purchases.

The R44 suits private owners, schools and light operators who want the lowest practical cost of helicopter ownership and do not need turbine performance or a larger cabin. Buyers wanting more payload, altitude capability or turbine reliability step up to the turbine-powered R66; for affordable, everyday rotary flying the R44 is the default choice.