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Robinson R22
D-HFCD OO-GLS
OO-VCE PH-FHC
Robinson R44
D-HRAV G-HHHH
OO-VEL PH-AJR
PH-DWW PH-ELI
PH-FVZ PH-JFC
PH-MVR PH-WRF
G-BXPY Robinson R44 Astro c/n 0154 - Air Technology - Seppe airfield near Roosendaal in Holland - 18 June 2003 Breda Int. Airport (EHSE)

The Robinson R44 Astro is a single-engined light utility helicopter for up to 1 crew and 3 passengers, powered by a carburetted Lycoming O-540-F1B5 piston engine. The Robinson R44 is built and developed by the Robinson Helicopter Company in Torrance, California. Design of the Model R44 began in 1985. The first prototype flew on 31 March 1990 and the second in January 1991. Sales efforts got under way in March 1992 at a base price of 235.000 US-Dollars. FAA Type Certification for the R44 Astro was achieved on 10 December 1992, and the first Robinson R44 Astro was delivered in February 1993. In 2000, the R44 Astro was replaced as the main production model by the hydraulically-assisted R44 Raven. The development from the first R44 Astro in 1993, via the R44 Raven I to the first R44 Raven II delivered in 2002, has been remarkable. For the pilot the most important difference is the conversion from a carbureted engine on the Astro to injection and hydraulic controls on the Raven II. Over 6500 of the four-seat Model R44s are delivered to customers all over the world.
The ICAO Aircraft Type Designator for the Robinon R44 Astro helicopter is R44.

On 25 April 1995, Robinson R-44 Astro s/n 0154 was registered OY-HFV in Denmark with Fox Juliet. On 22 December 1997, registration OY-HFV was cencelled as exported to the UK. The same day, the helicopter was registered G-BXPY in the UK with O. Desmet and B. Mprnie in Belgium. In 2000, Air Technology at heliport Walem near Mechelen became the operator of the G-BXPY. On 18 June 2003, when seen at Seppe airfield near Roosendaal in the Netherlands, the helicopter was based in Belgium and operated by Helicon on the inspection-flights on behalf of the Gasunie. At the end of 2005, the G-BXPY was withdrawn from use and parked at heliport Walem near Mechelen. On 22 March 2006, the G-BXPY was sold in Italy and registered with G. de Angelis in Rome. On 28 March 2006, begun the ferry-flight out of Mechelen-Walem to Rome. On 17 October 2007, registration G-BXPY was cancelled as exported to Italy. On 19 January 2008, the Astro was registered I-IPAT in Italy with Gruppo Salerno at Nepi (VT) on 10 January 2008.

page last updated: 18-10-2020
Copyright © Jack Wolbrink, Emmen, the Netherlands
 

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