Our fleet

R44 — Clipper II

Four-seater, versatile

Description

The R44 Clipper II, the four-seat version of the R44 Cadet, is a versatile helicopter perfectly suited to a wide range of uses, from flight schools to surveillance and aerial work missions, including flights over water along our coastline.

Specifications

Number of seats: Four-seater
Engine: Lycoming IO-540, 6-cylinder, fuel-injected, air-cooled, derated to 245 hp
Cruise speed: Up to 106 kts (196 km/h) at maximum gross weight, fitted with floats
Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb (1,134 kg)
Range: About 350 nm (650 km), no reserve, at cruise speed
New price (manufacturer): From $689,500 US, excluding options and taxes (Robinson price list, January 2026)

Good to know about the R44 — Clipper II

Versatile four-seater

4 seats on board: ideal for flying with family, with friends, or taking several passengers on a discovery flight.

The name "Clipper"

At Robinson, this R44 variant has historically been designed for operations over water and aerial work.

Robinson reliability

Same lineage as the R44 Cadet: hydraulically-assisted controls and the title of best-selling civilian helicopter in the world since 1999.

The Robinson R44, designed by Frank Robinson (founder of Robinson Helicopter Company in 1973), is the four-seat evolution of the two-seat R22 launched in 1990. Fitted with hydraulically-assisted flight controls, it has become the best-selling civilian helicopter in the world since 1999 — a benchmark for reliability and parts availability.

At Robinson, the name "Clipper" refers to the R44 variant designed for missions over water and aerial work. With its 4 seats, the Rotor Club Aixois' Clipper II is mainly the aircraft we use to fly with several people at once, with family or friends, or for discovery flights carrying multiple passengers.

How much does a Robinson R44 Clipper II cost? As a reference point, the manufacturer's price for a new aircraft starts at $689,500 US in the fixed-float configuration (January 2026), excluding options, taxes, and shipping to Europe — a budget for buying one, not for flying one. You don't need that kind of investment to take the controls of an R44 Clipper II: at Rotor Club Aixois, you fly it from your very first discovery flight, for the price of a flight.

Frequently asked questions about the R44 — Clipper II

Can the R44 Clipper II carry several people?

Yes, it's a four-seat aircraft: it can carry the pilot and up to 3 passengers at the same time.

What's the difference with the R44 Cadet?

The Clipper II keeps the standard R44's 4 seats, while the Cadet is a lightened two-seat version dedicated to flight schools. Both share the same proven Robinson mechanics.

What is an R44 Clipper II used for?

Training and discovery flights with multiple passengers — and, depending on equipment fitted, aerial work or over-water surveillance missions, the historical use of the "Clipper" variant at Robinson.

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