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
4000 Robinson R22 helicopters are delivered to customers all over the world.
Robinson R22 Beta 2 s/n 30101 was built in 1999 and test flown as N9081U. On 19 November 1999, the helicopter was registered PH-FHC
with Helico Heythuysen BV, in the Netherlands. On 3 June 2003, the chopper was
registered with Coolen-Huijbregts v.o.f. On 19 may 2006, the registration PH-FHC was cancelled after
the Robinson was sold in Switzerland. The R-22 was registered HB-ZHL with PT-Aviation Service GmbH on 27 June 2006.