Our fleet

R44 — Cadet

Two-seater, ideal for solo training

Description

The R44 Cadet, a two-seat helicopter, is a versatile aircraft perfectly suited to flight schools and operators who want the cost benefits of a small helicopter without sacrificing the power and performance of a larger one.

Specifications

Number of seats: Two-seater
Engine: Lycoming O-540 piston engine, derated to 210 hp for take-off and 185 hp continuous
Cruise speed: Up to 107 kts (198 km/h) at maximum gross weight
Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb (998 kg)
Range: About 300 nm (550 km), no reserve, at cruise speed
New price (manufacturer): From $520,000 US, excluding options and taxes (Robinson price list, January 2026)

Good to know about the R44 — Cadet

Hydraulically-assisted controls

Unlike the R22, the R44 comes standard with hydraulically-assisted flight controls, which lightens the effort on the controls and makes it easier for student pilots to get to grips with.

The world's best-seller

Since 1999, the Robinson R44 has been the best-selling civilian helicopter in the world — a huge fleet that guarantees excellent parts and maintenance support.

Built for flight schools

The Cadet variant removes the rear bench seat in favour of a large luggage compartment, reducing empty weight and operating costs for a dedicated training aircraft.

The Robinson R44 is built by Robinson Helicopter Company, founded in 1973 by American engineer Frank Robinson. Following the worldwide success of the two-seat R22 (1979), the R44 was launched in 1990: a more powerful four-seat model fitted with hydraulically-assisted flight controls — a real improvement in handling compared with the R22. Since 1999, the R44 has been the best-selling civilian helicopter in the world, which matters for a flight school in terms of reliability and parts availability.

The Cadet variant keeps this proven platform in a two-seat configuration: the rear bench seat is removed in favour of a large luggage compartment, which lightens the aircraft and reduces operating costs. A design choice made for flight schools — exactly how we use it at Rotor Club Aixois for initial training and a student's first solo hours.

How much does a new Robinson R44 Cadet cost? The manufacturer's price starts at $520,000 US in standard configuration (January 2026), excluding options, taxes, and shipping to Europe. Again, you don't need to own one to learn how to fly it: it's the very aircraft we use at Rotor Club Aixois for initial training and a student's first hours.

Frequently asked questions about the R44 — Cadet

Is the R44 Cadet suitable for beginner students?

Yes. It's one of the most widely used helicopters in the world for initial flight training, largely thanks to its hydraulically-assisted controls, which reduce the physical effort compared with unassisted aircraft.

How many people can the R44 Cadet carry?

The R44 Cadet is a two-seat aircraft: it carries the pilot and one passenger, or the instructor during training.

What's the difference between the R44 Cadet and the R44 Clipper II?

The Cadet is a lightened two-seat version built for flight schools. The Clipper II keeps the standard R44's 4 seats and suits group flights as well as aerial work missions.

Want to go further? Discover our discovery flight or our PPL(H) training to fly on your own.