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OO-VEL

SA.313 Alouette II
F-BSRM PH-NSW

Robinson R44

D-HALF D-HMSH
D-HNAH D-HHRO
OO-MPS OO-PME
PH-ABZ RA-04327
RA-06313 RA-06359
Robinson R66 Turbine
N7040P RA-06215
OO-VEL Robinson R44 Astro c/n 0538 - Botra - Groningen Airport Eelde in Holland - 30 October 2007 Groningen Airport Eelde (GRQ)

The Robinson R44 Astro is a single-engined light utility helicopter for up to 1 crew and 3 passengers, powered by a Lycoming O-540-F1B5 engine with carburettor. The Robinson R44 is built by the Robinson Helicopter Company in Torrance, California. Development 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 R44 Raven with adjustable pedals and standard hydraulic controls. Today the four-seat Model R44 is the world's most popular helicopter of which already over 6300 are delivered to customers all over the world. The ICAO Aircraft Type Designator for the R44 Astro helicopters is R44.

In January 1999, the Robinson R44 Astro s/n 0538 was registered D-HALD with Air Lloyd Deutsche Helicopter GmbH, Bonn/Hangelar, Germany. On 27 June 2000, the Robinson was registered OO-VEL with Botra, Knokke-Heist, Belgium. After the helicopter was sold in Norway, registration OO-VEL was cancelled on 9 November 2007. The helicopter was registered the same month in Norway as LN-OFH. On 22 May 2012, the 1998-built Robinon R44 Astro was re-registered N570WH. On 30 October 2007, Robinon R44 Astro OO-VEL was seen at Groningen Airport Eelde in the Netherlands when on delivery from Belgium to Norway.

page last updated: 28-09-2015
Photo Copyright © Jack Poelstra, the Netherlands
 

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