Robinson delivered 264 R44s in 2000. There is no direct competition to the R44 as it sits between smaller piston tpyes like the Schweizer 300 and Enstrom and much more expensive turbine helicopters like the Bell JetRanger or the MD Helicopters MD500-Series. The R44, though a completely new design in detail, retains its family resemblance with the two-seat R22 . It introduces hydraulic power controls in place of an electromechanical system, giving much easier control and eliminating stick vibration. R44 Clipper , equipped with floats for extended over water flights.
Special corrosion proofing throughout is applied.
There is also the option to fit pop-out floats, which weigh 29,5 kg. R44 Newscopter , a ready to use version for TV stations, which has a swivelling CCD-camera in the nose, micro camera on the tail, monitors in the cabin and the battery relocated to the tailboom. The first prototype flew on 31. March 1990 and the second in January 1991, to be shown at the Heli-Expo show that month at Anaheim. Sales efforts got under way in March 1992 at a base price of 235000 US-Dollars.