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The Robinson R22 Beta II is a two-seat small rotorcraft powered by a single Lycoming O-360 four-cylinder,
air-cooled piston engine. The R22 was designed by the founder of the Robinson Helicopter Company, Frank Robinson.
Design of the Robinson R22 helicopter began in 1973, and an 85kW (115hp)
Lycoming O235 powered prototype flew for the first time on 28 August 1975. A second
followed in early 1977. The FAA certification was achieved in March 1979 and deliveries
started in October of that year. On 5 August 1985 the Beta model was certified. The Beta
II model was introduced into production in 1995 and certificated in early 1996. Today, already over
4500 Robinson R22 helicopters are delivered to customers all over the world. |
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The 1985-built Robinson R22 Beta c/n 0505 was registered first N2270B in the USA in July 1985. On 11 November 1985,
the helicopter was registered G-BMIZ in the UK with Sloane Helicopters, London. On 11 December 1985, registration
G-BMIZ was cancelled as exported to Belgium and the helicopter was registered OO-VCE in Belgium the same day.
However the Belgian CAA gives the Robinson as registered OO-VCE on 11 December 1985, the aircraft should have
been registered OO-XVE first on that day and re-registered OO-VCE on 16 December 1985. On 7 April 2008,
registration OO-VCE was cancelled and the Robinson was restored to the UK register as G-BMIZ with
Endrick Aviation in Glasgow on 24 April 2008. Registered ownership of the G-BMIZ changed to Castlehill Aviation,
Glasgow, on 9 October 2008. Robinson R22 Beta OO-VCE was seen at the International Old Timer Fly-in 2005 at Schaffen-Diest
airfield in Belgium on 13 August 2005. |
Luchtvaart déjà vu
