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Robinson R22 Beta Model Guide

Robinson R22 Beta · Model Guide

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Overview

The Robinson R22 Beta is a two-seat, single-engine piston helicopter. Its approved limits give a maximum gross weight of 1370 lb and a never-exceed speed of 102 KIAS up to 3000 ft density altitude. The documents show the Lycoming O-320-B2C engine, and the Beta II uses the O-360-J2A. Accident reports point buyers to the drive belts, clutch and fuel vents.

  • Robinson R22 Beta: 2 seats, 1370 lb max gross weight, 920 lb minimum, 240 lb per seat including baggage.
  • VNE is 102 KIAS up to 3000 ft density altitude. Above that, follow the placard table (the Beta II has its own).
  • Check the drive belts, clutch and fuel vent lines. Accident reports on R22 Betas involve all three.
  • Parts are costly: a balanced main-rotor blade set was listed at 36,000 in a January 2016 price list.

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.

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Document details

Type
·
Model Guide
Year
·
2026
File size
·
49 KB
Copy found at
·
sprinkle.com

Specifications & performance

Extracted from this document.

Specifications

Max per seat (lb)
·
240
Max gross weight (lb)
·
1,370
Min gross weight (lb)
·
920
Max baggage per compartment (lb)
·
50

Performance

Hover controllability wind (kt)
·
17
Hover controllability max density altitude (ft)
·
9,800

V-speeds

VNE_UP_TO_3000_FT_DENSITY_ALTITUDE_KTS
·
102

Weight & balance

Aux fuel arm (in)
·
103.8
Main fuel arm (in)
·
108.6
Max gross weight (lb)
·
1,370
Min gross weight (lb)
·
920
Datum forward of rotor shaft (in)
·
100
Solo pilot plus baggage cg safe (lb)
·
135
About this document
What can the Robinson R22 Beta carry?

The Robinson R22 Beta has 2 seats. Maximum gross weight is 1370 lb, with a 240 lb limit per seat including baggage and 50 lb per baggage compartment. Minimum gross weight is 920 lb.

How fast and how far does the Robinson R22 Beta go?

The documents give only a never-exceed speed for the Robinson R22 Beta: 102 KIAS up to 3000 ft density altitude. The registry covers the whole R22 family and lists up to 114 kt cruise and 580 nm range as maximums across variants. These are not Beta figures.

Which engine does the Robinson R22 Beta have?

The Robinson R22 Beta in the AAIB reports has a Lycoming O-320-B2C. The Beta II has an O-360-J2A. The limitations also list O-320-A2B and -A2C engines, which belong to other R22 models.

What should I check before buying a Robinson R22 Beta?

For a Robinson R22 Beta, check the weight and balance record, drive belts and clutch, sprag clutch history, fuel vent lines, and the MS21042L locking nuts on the belt sheave. Also check how the aircraft was flown by students.

What is the Robinson R22 Beta Model Guide?

The Robinson R22 Beta Model Guide is a model guide for the Robinson R22 Beta, dated 2026.

What year was the Robinson R22 Beta Model Guide published?

The Robinson R22 Beta Model Guide — the Robinson R22 Beta model guide on file — is dated 2026.

How rare is it?
2,659Robinson R22 Beta registered worldwide · 2,633 active

Common. More common than 99% of the aircraft models we track.

Documentation completeness
5/7

Most owners only have the POH. Here's the essential set for the Robinson R22 Beta.

More Robinson R22 Betamanuals & documents

See all 15 →

In this document

Limits and loading

Max gross weight for the Alpha, Beta and Beta II is 1370 lb (622 kg). Minimum is 920 lb (417 kg). Each seat, including its baggage compartment, is limited to 240 lb, and each baggage compartment to 50 lb. With both doors on, a solo pilot plus baggage of 135 lb or more keeps the CG within limits. Fuel burn moves the CG forward, so check loading with empty fuel as well as full fuel.

Engine and rotor limits

The Robinson R22 Beta is approved with Lycoming O-320 engines. Accident reports show the O-320-B2C on early aircraft and the O-360-J2A on the Beta II. Maximum continuous engine speed is 104% (2652 RPM). Power-on rotor speed is 101% to 104%. Oil pressure in flight is 55 to 95 psi, minimum oil for takeoff is 4 qt, and the cylinder head limit is 500°F. Aerobatics and low-G cyclic pushovers are prohibited.

What to inspect and budget for

Ask for the weight and balance record and the history of the sprag clutch, drive belts and fuel vent lines. Also ask whether the MS21042L-series locking nuts on the belt upper sheave were checked for cracking. In the January 2016 list, a main rotor gearbox and mast assembly was 21,400 and a balanced blade set 36,000. Prices were subject to change.

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

  • Dynamic rollover: a student's first solo in an R22 Beta rolled over because the CG shifted right and aft. Use a two-step liftoff.
  • Loss of drive: a belt failure, a damaged sprag clutch or a lit clutch light means land at once. Engine power loss can cost rotor RPM.
  • A kinked fuel vent line starved an R22 Beta engine even though the main tank held fuel. Inspect the vent lines.

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 Beta Model Guide The Robinson R22 Beta is a two-seat, single-engine piston helicopter. Its approved limits give a maximum gross weight of 1370 lb and a never-exceed speed of 102 KIAS up to 3000 ft density altitude. The documents show the Lycoming O-320-B2C engine, and the Beta II uses the O-360-J2A. Accident reports point buyers to the drive belts, clutch and fuel vents. • Robinson R22 Beta: 2 seats, 1370 lb max gross weight, 920 lb minimum, 240 lb per seat including baggage. • VNE is 102 KIAS up to 3000 ft density altitude. Above that, follow the placard table (the Beta II has its own). • Check the drive belts, clutch and fuel vent lines. Accident reports on R22 Betas involve all three. • Parts are costly: a balanced main-rotor blade set was listed at 36,000 in a January 2016 price list. Limits and loading Max gross weight for the Alpha, Beta and Beta II is 1370 lb (622 kg). Minimum is 920 lb (417 kg). Each seat, including its baggage compartment, is limited to 240 lb, and each baggage compartment to 50 lb. With both doors on, a solo pilot plus baggage of 135 lb or more keeps the CG within limits. Fuel burn moves the CG forward, so check loading with empty fuel as well as full fuel. Engine and rotor limits The Robinson R22 Beta is approved with Lycoming O-320 engines. Accident reports show the O-320-B2C on early aircraft and the O-360-J2A on the Beta II. Maximum continuous engine speed is 104% (2652 RPM). Power-on rotor speed is 101% to 104%. Oil pressure in flight is 55 to 95 psi, minimum oil for takeoff is 4 qt, and the cylinder head limit is 500°F. Aerobatics and low-G cyclic pushovers are prohibited. What to inspect and budget for Ask for the weight and balance record and the history of the sprag clutch, drive belts and fuel vent lines. Also ask whether the MS21042L-series locking nuts on the belt upper sheave were checked for cracking. In the January 2016 list, a main rotor gearbox and mast assembly was 21,400 and a balanced blade set 36,000. Prices were subject to change. Safety notes: • Dynamic rollover: a student's first solo in an R22 Beta rolled over because the CG shifted right and aft. Use a two-step liftoff. • Loss of drive: a belt failure, a damaged sprag clutch or a lit clutch light means land at once. Engine power loss can cost rotor RPM. • A kinked fuel vent line starved an R22 Beta engine even though the main tank held fuel. Inspect the vent lines.