Regan Brown
The Robinson R22 is a light, two-place, single-engine helicopter with a basic welded chromoly steel tube structure and a fiberglass and aluminium forward fuselage. It has a fast cruise speed, high fuel efficiency, and is commonly used for flight training, patrolling, photography, and tourism. The R22 Beta II has a Lycoming O-360 four-cylinder, carburettor-equipped engine that delivers an average fuel consumption of 30 litres per hour. However, the exact amount of fuel that the R22 can hold is not explicitly stated, and fuel consumption can vary depending on various factors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type | 100LL grade aviation gasoline |
| Fuel Type (Alternative) | 91+ octane non-ethanol automotive gasoline |
| Fuel Consumption | 30 litres per hour |
| Flight Duration | 1.5-2 hours with two people on board |
| Engine | Lycoming O-320 (O-360-J2A on the Beta II) |
| Engine Type | Flat-four, air-cooled, naturally aspirated, carburetor-equipped, reciprocating engine |
| Horsepower | 180 hp |
| Horsepower at Takeoff | 131 hp for five minutes |
| Horsepower for Continuous Operation | 124 hp |
| Cruise Speed | Up to 85 knots |
| Range | 240 miles |
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What You'll Learn
The R22 Beta has an auxiliary fuel tank option
The R22 is a light, two-place, single reciprocating-engined helicopter. It was designed by Frank Robinson for a fast cruise speed and fuel efficiency. The R22 Beta is one of the later models of the R22, along with the R22 HP and R22 Alpha. The R22 Beta added an engine speed governor (optional), rotor brake, and auxiliary fuel tank (optional).
The auxiliary fuel tank option is particularly useful given that the R22 has been criticised for its lack of data on fuel consumption or range in the P.O.H. Without the optional auxiliary tank, pilots must rely on tracking their flight time with a watch, rather than relying on the gauges. This is because, without the auxiliary tank, it is difficult to know how much fuel is in the tanks without topping off and being over gross.
The R22 Beta II is a more recent model of the R22 Beta, which has been flown around the world for many applications, including flight training, patrolling, photography, and tourism. The R22 Beta II has a Lycoming O-360 four-cylinder, carburettor-equipped engine fuelled with 100LL grade aviation gasoline. This engine delivers 131 hp for five minutes at takeoff and 124 hp for continuous operation. The R22 Beta II has an average fuel consumption of 30 litres per hour, with a cruise speed of up to 85 knots and a range of 240 miles.
The R22 uses a carburettor to provide the air-fuel mixture. Carburetted engines are susceptible to carburettor icing, which can lead to a loss of engine power and, if not corrected, a total shutdown of the engine. Carburettor heat control can be used to prevent or cure icing, but this causes a reduction in engine power output. The R22 Beta II includes a "carburettor heat assist", which automatically applies carburettor heat when the collective lever is lowered, helping to prevent icing.
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It uses 100LL-grade aviation gasoline
The Robinson R22 is a light, two-place, single reciprocating-engined helicopter. It uses 100LL-grade aviation gasoline, which is a lower-lead version of Aviation Gasoline 100 (0.56g lead/litre max). 100LL-grade aviation gasoline is a piston engine-powered fuel that is used in private, commercial, and military training aircraft. It is produced by ExxonMobil and satisfies the requirements of ASTM D910, Standard Specification for Aviation Gasolines, and DEF STAN 91-90 (DERD 2485).
The R22 has a flat-four, air-cooled, naturally aspirated, carburetor-equipped, reciprocating engine. The use of 100LL-grade aviation gasoline is important for maintaining the performance and safety of the R22. While some operators have used a mix of automotive gasoline (mogas) and aviation gasoline (avgas), this is not recommended by the manufacturer and may not be legal in some regions.
The R22's engine is susceptible to carburetor icing, which can lead to a loss of engine power or even a total shutdown. To prevent this, the R22 employs a carburetor heat control system and a carburetor air temperature gauge. The Beta II version of the R22 also includes a "carburetor heat assist" feature.
The R22 has an estimated operating cost of US$189.87 per hour, which includes fuel, insurance, reserve for overhaul, and direct operating costs. The R22 Beta version offers an optional auxiliary fuel tank, which can increase the fuel capacity of the helicopter.
Overall, the use of 100LL-grade aviation gasoline is crucial for the safe and efficient operation of the Robinson R22 helicopter. It ensures the engine performs within normal operating limits and helps to prevent issues such as carburetor icing. While alternatives may be available, the use of 100LL-grade aviation gasoline is recommended by the manufacturer and approved by major aircraft engine manufacturers.
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It can be run on a MOGAS/AVGAS mix
The Robinson R22 is a light, two-place, single-engine helicopter. It is equipped with a Lycoming O-320 engine, which is fuelled with 100LL-grade aviation gasoline. However, some operators have reported running the R22 on a mix of MOGAS (automotive gasoline) and AVGAS (aviation gasoline). MOGAS has an octane rating of 94 in Canada and the US, while AVGAS has a rating of 91-94 in the US and 95-98 in Norway.
Running the R22 on a MOGAS/AVGAS mix is possible, but it is not officially permitted without an STC (Supplemental Type Certificate). An STC for the R22 costs around $700 and addresses the issue of vaporisation, which can be caused by negative pressure in the fuel line or overheated fuel. Vaporisation can lead to the engine missing or stopping, which is especially undesirable during high-power demand. The STC kit provides ducting around the fuel bowl to direct cool air and prevent the fuel from becoming too hot.
Some pilots have shared their experiences of using a MOGAS/AVGAS mix in their R22s, stating that it made no difference whatsoever. One pilot in Canada, where there are two main types of MOGAS (winter and summer), shared their experience of using a mix of the two fuel types. They noted that while winter MOGAS is more volatile to aid with starting in extremely cold weather, using it in warm weather can cause vapour lock.
Another consideration when using a MOGAS/AVGAS mix is valve lubrication. MOGAS is unleaded, while AVGAS contains lead, and it is unclear if the Lycoming engines in the R22 require lead for valve lubrication. Mechanics in certain countries recommend using the highest octane fuel available, which can be up to 100 in some places.
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The R22 has high fuel efficiency
The Robinson R22 is a two-seat, single-engined, light utility helicopter. It was designed in 1973 and has been in production since 1979. The R22 has a very low-inertia rotor system and its control inputs are operated directly by push rods with no hydraulic assistance. Due to its lightweight and low-inertia rotor system, the R22 has high fuel efficiency. It is fuelled with 100LL grade aviation gasoline. The R22 has a separate low-fuel warning system that is separate from the gauges. The low-fuel light comes on when about five minutes of fuel is remaining. The R22 is also equipped with an electronic governor that works to maintain engine speed within normal operating limits. This governor is active when the engine is running above 80% and is most effective in normal flight conditions.
The R22 uses a horizontally mounted Lycoming O-320 (O-360-J2A on the Beta II) engine. The R22 HP was fitted with a 160 bhp Lycoming O-320-B2C engine, an increase of 10 bhp over the original R22. The R22 Beta added an optional engine speed governor, which helps the R22 achieve high fuel efficiency. The R22 is also derated at sea level, meaning it is operated at less than maximum power. This helps the R22 maintain the same performance at sea level as it does at altitude, without the use of supercharging or turbocharging. This saves weight, cost, complexity, unreliability, and shortened engine life.
The R22 has a low acquisition and operating cost, making it popular as a primary rotorcraft trainer. It has a fast cruise speed and high fuel efficiency. The R22 burns 100 low-lead Avgas and has a capacity of 30 gallons of fuel. With an STC, it can be converted to run on car gas, but this requires changing the carburetor float ball. The R22 also has an optional auxiliary fuel tank.
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It has an average fuel consumption of 30 litres per hour
The Robinson R22 is a light, two-place, single reciprocating-engined helicopter with a Lycoming O-360 four-cylinder, carburettor-equipped engine. The R22 Beta II version of the helicopter has an average fuel consumption of 30 litres per hour. This equates to 1.5-2 hours of fuel when carrying two people.
The R22 was designed by Frank Robinson for a fast cruise speed and fuel efficiency. It has a fast cruise speed of up to 85 knots, with a maximum speed of 102 knots. The R22 is used for various applications, including flight training, patrolling, photography, and tourism. It has low operating costs and excellent performance, making it a popular choice for flight schools.
The R22's engine is fuelled with 100LL grade aviation gasoline. It has a horsepower of 180 hp, delivering 131 hp for five minutes at takeoff and 124 hp for continuous operation. The engine is carburettor-equipped, which can be susceptible to carburettor icing. This can lead to a loss of engine power and, if not corrected, a total shutdown of the engine. To prevent this, the R22 employs a carburettor heat control and a carburettor air temperature gauge.
The R22 Beta version of the helicopter also includes an auxiliary fuel tank (optional). The R22 has an estimated operating cost of US$189.87 per hour when flown 500 hours per year. This includes insurance, reserve for overhaul, and direct operating costs such as fuel, oil, inspections, and unscheduled maintenance.
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Frequently asked questions
The R22 has an average fuel consumption of 30 litres per hour. With two people in an R22, it is more typical to fly with 1.5-2 hours of fuel.
The R22 uses 100LL grade aviation gasoline.
The R22 does not have a specified fuel tank capacity.
The R22 has an average fuel consumption of 30 litres per hour, resulting in a range of around 240 miles.
Yes, the R22 was designed with fuel efficiency in mind and has a high fuel efficiency rating.
