Robinson Helicopter Company delivered two R44 Cadet helicopters (S/Ns 30006 and 30007) to SKY Helicopters, an FAA part 141 flight school, and Robinson’s dealer in Garland, Texas. According to SKY’s President Ken Pyatt, the affordability of the Cadet along with the optional glass technology, HeliSAS Autopilot and air conditioning make it a very appealing trainer. The Cadet’s longer 2400 TBO brings its hourly operating cost closer to the R22, a plus for flight schools and pilots trying to build hours.
SKY Helicopters’ new R44 Cadets are outfitted for IFR training. Both helicopters are equipped with a fully integrated glass cockpit featuring Garmin’s G500H display, GTN 750 navigator, GTX 345 transponder with ADS-B Out/In, Bluetooth for seamless connection to personal devices, and Genesys Aerosystems’ HeliSAS Autopilot. Additionally, each has Spidertracks for real time tracking, and air conditioning.
“We’ve finally found the perfect combination of NextGen technologies available in a reliable comfortable training helicopter,” said Ken Pyatt.
The two-place Cadet was FAA certified in May 2016. The base price is US$339,000 and US$367,000 for the float-equipped version.