Robinson R44 Clipper II vs Robinson R22
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Robinson R44 Clipper II
- For sale now
- 23
- Median asking
- $379,000
- Range
- $149,000–$715,600
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 10
- Source marketplaces
- 9
- Model years available
- 2003–2026
Robinson R22
- For sale now
- 147
- Median asking
- $107,000
- Range
- $39,000–$377,766
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 15
- Source marketplaces
- 11
- Model years available
- 1984–2026
Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.
Safety Record
Absolute counts scale with fleet size — the most-produced types log more events without being less safe. Compare the % fatal.
| NTSB (1982–now) | Robinson R44 Clipper II | Robinson R22 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | — | 520 |
| Serious | — | 47 |
| Fatal | — | 112 |
| Fatalities | — | 157 |
| % Fatal | — | 22% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Robinson R44 Clipper II | Robinson R22 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $149,000 – $715,600 | $39,000 – $377,766 |
| Category | Piston Helicopters | Piston Helicopters |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 2 |
| Horsepower | 245 HP | 124 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 109 kts (202 km/h) | 96 kts (178 km/h) |
| Range | 300 nm (556 km) | 209 nm (387 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 14,000 ft (4,267 m) | 14,000 ft (4,267 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2,500 lbs (1,134 kg) | 1,370 lbs (621 kg) |
| Useful Load | 994 lbs (451 kg) | 454 lbs (206 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 50.0 gal (189 L) | 17.0 gal (64 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 16.0 GPH (61 L/h) | 10.0 GPH (38 L/h) |
| TBO | 2,200 hrs | 2,200 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $150,000 | $60,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $25,000 | $15,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $200 | $140 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateRobinson R44 Clipper II
Fuel$88/hr
Variable$200/hr
Annual Fixed$25,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$65,000/yr
Robinson R22
Fuel$55/hr
Variable$140/hr
Annual Fixed$15,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$43,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Robinson R44 Clipper II or Robinson R22?
Pick the R44 Clipper II if…
- More seats — 4 vs 2.
- Faster cruise — 109 kts vs 96 kts.
- Longer range — 300 nm vs 209 nm.
- Newer design — production from 2002 vs 1979.
Pick the R22 if…
- Budget matters — from $39,000 vs $149,000, you save ~$110,000.
- Lower operating cost — ~$140/hr vs $200/hr.
- More inventory — 145 listings vs 24.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Robinson R44 Clipper II or Robinson R22?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The R44 Clipper II cruises at 109 kts with 300 nm range.
The R22 cruises at 96 kts with 209 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Robinson R22: from $306,758.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Robinson R44 Clipper II and Robinson R22?
R44 Clipper II engine: Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 (245 hp).
R22 engine: Lycoming O-320 (124 hp).
Seats: 4 vs 2.
Cruise: 109 vs 96 kts.
Range: 300 vs 209 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
R44 Clipper II: about $200/hr variable cost.
R22: about $140/hr variable cost.
Variable cost includes fuel, reserves and overhaul accruals. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, annual inspection) add to the total.
Which has more seats and useful load?
R44 Clipper II: 4 seats / 994 lb useful load.
R22: 2 seats / 454 lb useful load.
Useful load = max gross weight minus empty weight; it determines how much fuel plus payload you can carry.
How does maintenance compare — TBO and overhaul cost?
R44 Clipper II: 2,200-hour TBO, overhaul ~$150,000.
R22: 2,200-hour TBO, overhaul ~$60,000.
Reaching the time-between-overhaul (TBO) triggers a mandatory engine/airframe rebuild that affects resale value.
Disclaimer: All prices and cost estimates are from third-party sources for informational purposes only. Always obtain professional appraisal and inspection before purchase.
Prices updated daily · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data