Robinson Helicopters Aims for Unleaded Fuels in R22, R44

Robinson Helicopter revealed this week at Heli-Expo its intention to obtain approval to operate its R44 and R22 piston-engine helicopters on unleaded fuel . According to Robinson CEO Kurt Robinson, engine maker Lycoming needs to obtain FAA approval to burn unleaded fuels in its engines while Robinson must perform airframe testing with the fuels on board for each of its relevant helicopter models. Robinson said the test plan involves “hitting a lot of points, with the most significant being establishing compatibility with relevant parts such as fuel bladders and O-rings, because the no-lead fuel has different components in it compared to leaded fuel.”