Robinson R22 Model Guide
Robinson R22 · Model Guide
Overview
The Robinson R22 is a two-seat piston helicopter. The model record lists a first year of 1979 and no end year. Its Pilot's Operating Handbook is FAA approved in the normal category under FAR 27 (type certificate H10WE). The inputs give no performance or weight figures, so this guide covers what to inspect: drive belts, tail rotor blades, steel tube frame and fuel tanks.
- Two seats, piston engine, first built 1979; the handbook is FAA approved in the normal category (FAR 27).
- Drive belts are a known watch item: overweight flying, high power settings and misaligned sheaves hurt belt reliability.
- Check service bulletin status on tail rotor blades (SB-120C) and fuel tanks (SB-109A) before buying.
- Check the upper steel tube frame for fatigue cracks, especially on ex-mustering aircraft.
Summary written by AI from the source document. Check the original before relying on it. See which parts of Sprinkle are written by AI.
Reference only, not for flight. Use the current approved manual for your aircraft. See terms, section 5.
Document
Source
Copy found at sprinkle.com. Sprinkle hosts a reference copy with an added summary, specifications and searchable full text.
Document details
- Type ·
- Model Guide
- Year ·
- 2026
- File size ·
- 48 KB
- Copy found at ·
- sprinkle.com
Specifications & performance
Extracted from this document.
Specifications
- Seats max ·
- 2
- First year ·
- 1,979
- Engine type ·
- piston
- V belt slack max (in) ·
- 1.5
- Alternator optional amps ·
- 70
- Alternator standard amps ·
- 60
How many people does the Robinson R22 carry?
The Robinson R22 is a two-seat helicopter, with a minimum and maximum of 2 seats in the model record. An ATSB report notes that adding a passenger reduced hover performance for a pilot used to flying solo.
What are the main inspection concerns on a used Robinson R22?
For a used Robinson R22, check drive belt condition and sheave alignment, the A020-2 steel tube frame for cracks, tail rotor blade status under SB-120C, and whether the SB-109A bladder fuel tank retrofit has been done.
Is the Robinson R22 still in production?
The model record for the Robinson R22 gives a first year of 1979 and no last year, which suggests it is still current. Its maintenance manual covers R22 Standard and R22 HP models, so confirm which variant you are buying.
How do I keep the Robinson R22 handbook current?
For the Robinson R22, Robinson offers a Class A subscription at $45 USD for two years to receive handbook changes and safety notices. Check that the handbook revision matches the aircraft and carry it in the helicopter at all times.
What is the Robinson R22 Model Guide?
The Robinson R22 Model Guide is a model guide for the Robinson R22, dated 2026.
What year was the Robinson R22 Model Guide published?
The Robinson R22 Model Guide — the Robinson R22 model guide on file — is dated 2026.
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More Robinson R22manuals & documents
See all 23 →- R22 ILLUSTRATED PARTS CATALOG RTR 060 VOLUME IIParts Catalog
- ROBINSON MAINTENANCE MANUAL R22 SERIESWeight & Balance
- ROBINSON MAINTENANCE MANUAL R22 SERIESWiring Diagrams
- Pilot's Operating Handbook and FAA Approved Rotorcraft Flight ManualPilot's Operating Handbook
- AIRWORTHINESS BULLETIN AWB 63-006 Issue 4 – 28 February 2023Service Bulletins
- R22 SERVICE BULLETIN SB-120CService Bulletins
- ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY MODEL R22 DAILY OR PREFLIGHT CHECKSChecklist
- FAA Approved Rotorcraft Flight Manual Supplement for Robinson R22Flight Manual Supplement
- ROBINSON MAINTENANCE MANUAL R22 SERIESMaintenance Manual
- EMERGENCY PROCEDURESEmergency Procedures
- AIC P 138/2019Training Manual
- AIRWORTHINESS BULLETIN AWB 28-017 Issue 1 – 1 February 2018Service Bulletins
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In this document
Drive system and belts
The ATSB found R22 v-belt reliability is hurt by overweight operation, high manifold pressure, sheave misalignment and infrequent inspection. Robinson's Revision-Z belt brought industry feedback of a more stable drive system. The preflight checklist limits v-belt slack to 1.5 inches (4 cm) maximum. Ask for belt installation and rigging records.
Airframe and tail rotor
CASA AD/R22/41 requires repeated inspection of A020-2 upper steel tube frames for cracks or corrosion. The intervals are 25 hours for aerial work and 100 hours otherwise. Most failures were on mustering aircraft. SB-120C covers A029-2 tail rotor blades, S/N 11279 and prior, fitted to helicopters S/N 4873 and prior. It cites tip debonding from corrosion, and affected blades need a daily preflight inspection until replaced.
Fuel tanks and records
SB-109A requires all-aluminium fuel tanks to be retrofitted with bladder tanks to resist post-accident fuel leaks. CASA strongly recommends it. The compliance limit was the next 2200-hour overhaul, 12 year inspection, or 15 January 2020, whichever came first. Verify the retrofit, the weight and balance record, and the handbook revision status.
Summary written by AI from the source document. Check the original before relying on it. See which parts of Sprinkle are written by AI.
Safety notes
- An ATSB-reported R22 accident: with a passenger on board in hot, high conditions, rotor RPM decayed in a hover out of ground effect and the helicopter came down.
- When flying solo, fill the left baggage compartment to capacity before using the right one (preflight checklist caution).
- Drive belt failures have been involved in fatal R22 accidents; know the indications of a drive malfunction and the autorotation procedure.
Summary written by AI from the source document. Check the original before relying on it. See which parts of Sprinkle are written by AI.
Full document text
Robinson R22 Model Guide The Robinson R22 is a two-seat piston helicopter. The model record lists a first year of 1979 and no end year. Its Pilot's Operating Handbook is FAA approved in the normal category under FAR 27 (type certificate H10WE). The inputs give no performance or weight figures, so this guide covers what to inspect: drive belts, tail rotor blades, steel tube frame and fuel tanks. • Two seats, piston engine, first built 1979; the handbook is FAA approved in the normal category (FAR 27). • Drive belts are a known watch item: overweight flying, high power settings and misaligned sheaves hurt belt reliability. • Check service bulletin status on tail rotor blades (SB-120C) and fuel tanks (SB-109A) before buying. • Check the upper steel tube frame for fatigue cracks, especially on ex-mustering aircraft. Drive system and belts The ATSB found R22 v-belt reliability is hurt by overweight operation, high manifold pressure, sheave misalignment and infrequent inspection. Robinson's Revision-Z belt brought industry feedback of a more stable drive system. The preflight checklist limits v-belt slack to 1.5 inches (4 cm) maximum. Ask for belt installation and rigging records. Airframe and tail rotor CASA AD/R22/41 requires repeated inspection of A020-2 upper steel tube frames for cracks or corrosion. The intervals are 25 hours for aerial work and 100 hours otherwise. Most failures were on mustering aircraft. SB-120C covers A029-2 tail rotor blades, S/N 11279 and prior, fitted to helicopters S/N 4873 and prior. It cites tip debonding from corrosion, and affected blades need a daily preflight inspection until replaced. Fuel tanks and records SB-109A requires all-aluminium fuel tanks to be retrofitted with bladder tanks to resist post-accident fuel leaks. CASA strongly recommends it. The compliance limit was the next 2200-hour overhaul, 12 year inspection, or 15 January 2020, whichever came first. Verify the retrofit, the weight and balance record, and the handbook revision status. Safety notes: • An ATSB-reported R22 accident: with a passenger on board in hot, high conditions, rotor RPM decayed in a hover out of ground effect and the helicopter came down. • When flying solo, fill the left baggage compartment to capacity before using the right one (preflight checklist caution). • Drive belt failures have been involved in fatal R22 accidents; know the indications of a drive malfunction and the autorotation procedure.