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
4200 Robinson R22 helicopters are delivered to customers all over the world.
Robinson R22 Beta s/n 0505 was built in 1985 and registered first as N2270B in July 1985. On 11 November 1985,
the helicopter was registered G-BMIZ with Sloane Helicopters in the UK. The registration G-BMIZ was cancelled
on 12 December 1985 and the helicopter was registered OO-XCE in Belgium on 11 December 1995. On 16 December 1995,
the OO-XCE was re-registered OO-VCE. After the aircraft was sold in the UK, the registration OO-VCE was cancelled on 7 April 2008.
In the UK the registration G-BMIZ was restored for the aircarft on 24 April 2008. The G-BMIZ is registered with Endrick Aviation in Glasgow. When photograped, Beta OO-VCE was
one of the visitors of the International Old Timer Fly-in 2005 at Schaffen-Diest airfield in Belgium.
Luchtvaart déjà vu
