Robinson R44 Raven II vs Robinson R44 Raven I

The Robinson R44 Raven I (carburetted IO-540) and Raven II (fuel-injected IO-540, higher gross weight, more power) are the two main R44 variants — same airframe, different induction and performance.

Live Market Snapshot

Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily

Robinson R44 Raven II
For sale now
269
Median asking
$369,900
Range
$120,366–$759,637
Listed on 2+ marketplaces
60
Source marketplaces
15
Model years available
2001–2026
Robinson R44 Raven I
For sale now
110
Median asking
$229,000
Range
$99,000–$496,350
Listed on 2+ marketplaces
15
Source marketplaces
14
Model years available
1998–2026

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 Raven IIRobinson R44 Raven I
All events34
Serious00
Fatal12
Fatalities23
% Fatal33%50%
View full Robinson R44 Raven II NTSB record →View full Robinson R44 Raven I NTSB record →

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Robinson R44 Raven II Robinson R44 Raven I
Robinson R44 Raven II
View 258 listings →
Median $369,900
 Robinson R44 Raven I
View 106 listings →
Median $229,000
Price Range $120,366 – $759,637 $99,000 – $496,350
Category Piston Helicopters Piston Helicopters
Model Specifications
Seats 4 4
Horsepower 245 HP 225 HP
Cruise Speed 113 kts (209 km/h) 109 kts (202 km/h)
Range 300 nm (556 km) 300 nm (556 km)
Service Ceiling 14,000 ft (4,267 m) 14,000 ft (4,267 m)
Max Gross Weight 2,500 lbs (1,134 kg) 2,400 lbs (1,089 kg)
Useful Load 994 lbs (451 kg) 882 lbs (400 kg)
Fuel Capacity 46.0 gal (174 L) 31.0 gal (117 L)
Fuel Burn 16.0 GPH (61 L/h) 15.0 GPH (57 L/h)
TBO 2,200 hrs 2,200 hrs
Overhaul Cost $150,000 $150,000
Annual Fixed $25,000 $25,000
Hourly Variable $200 $200
Engines 1 x Piston 1 x Piston

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Robinson R44 Raven II

Fuel$88/hr
Variable$200/hr
Annual Fixed$25,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $65,000/yr

Robinson R44 Raven I

Fuel$82/hr
Variable$200/hr
Annual Fixed$25,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $65,000/yr

Which Should You Buy: Robinson R44 Raven II or Robinson R44 Raven I?

Bottom line: Choose the Raven II for fuel injection (no carb-ice management), more power, higher gross weight and better hot-and-high performance — the preferred variant. Choose the Raven I for lower acquisition cost where its carburetted engine and slightly lower performance suit the mission and budget.

Pick the R44 Raven II if…

  • Faster cruise — 113 kts vs 109 kts.
  • Newer design — production from 2002 vs 2000.
  • More inventory — 258 listings vs 106.

Pick the R44 Raven I if…

  • Budget matters — from $99,000 vs $120,366, you save ~$21,366.

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 Raven II or Robinson R44 Raven I?
It depends on your mission and budget. The R44 Raven II cruises at 113 kts with 300 nm range. The R44 Raven I cruises at 109 kts with 300 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Robinson R44 Raven II: from $405,000. Robinson R44 Raven I: from $325,000. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Robinson R44 Raven II and Robinson R44 Raven I?
R44 Raven II engine: Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 (245 hp). R44 Raven I engine: Lycoming O-540-F1B5 (225 hp). Cruise: 113 vs 109 kts. Range: 300 vs 300 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
R44 Raven II: about $200/hr variable cost. R44 Raven I: about $200/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 Raven II: 4 seats / 994 lb useful load. R44 Raven I: 4 seats / 882 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 Raven II: 2,200-hour TBO, overhaul ~$150,000. R44 Raven I: 2,200-hour TBO, overhaul ~$150,000. 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