SFAR 73: R22 vs R44 Hour Credit, PIC, and Flight Reviews
Many helicopter pilots fly both Robinson models, and SFAR 73 treats the R22 and R44 separately for several requirements. This page covers what happens when you move between the two: which hours carry over, what a flight review has to be flown in, and passenger currency. For the full ground-training and pre-solo requirements, see our SFAR 73 overview.
1. Solo as a student: model-specific
- R22: at least 20 hours of flight training in a Robinson model R-22 before solo, plus a solo endorsement valid for 90 days (SFAR 73 §2(b)(3); AC 61-65K A.61).
- R44: at least 20 hours in a Robinson model R-44, plus its own 90-day endorsement (§2(b)(4); AC 61-65K A.65).
The SFAR names one model in each paragraph. A student switching models mid-training should ask their instructor how the 20 hours apply. Don't assume the other model's dual counts.
2. Acting as PIC: which hours cross-credit
| Path | R22 (§2(b)(1)) | R44 (§2(b)(2)) |
|---|---|---|
| Experience path | 200 helicopter hours, 50 in the R22 | 200 helicopter hours, 50 in the R44. Up to 25 R22 hours may be credited toward the 50 |
| Training path | 10 hours of flight training in the R22 + endorsement (A.62) | 10 hours of flight training in a Robinson helicopter, at least 5 in the R44 + endorsement (A.66) |
R22 time can partly count toward R44 PIC, but the R22 paragraph counts only R22 time. Both training paths require the same abnormal and emergency procedures: autorotation and energy management, autorotations at maximum glide (the R44 also at minimum rate of descent), RPM control without the governor, and low rotor RPM recognition and recovery.
3. The 12-month SFAR flight review (training-path pilots)
If you qualified through the 10-hour training path, you can't act as PIC starting 12 calendar months after that endorsement until you complete a flight review of the SFAR 73 ground subjects and the abnormal and emergency flight training, in that model, and get it endorsed (§2(b)(1)(iii), (2)(iii)). The A.62/A.66 sample wording builds in that date. The review endorsements are AC 61-65K A.64 (R22) and A.68 (R44).
4. Your regular flight review has to be in type
Part 61 generally requires a flight review within the preceding 24 calendar months to act as PIC (61.56(c)). SFAR 73 adds this: after you become eligible to act as PIC of an R22, a flight review isn't valid for R22 operation unless it was taken in an R22. The same applies to the R44 (§2(c)(1), (2)). The review must include the SFAR 73 ground subjects and Robinson abnormal and emergency training (§2(c)(3)).
5. Carrying passengers: currency in the same model
To act as PIC of an R22 or R44 carrying passengers, you must meet the 61.57 recency requirements in an R22 or R44, as appropriate (§2(d)). The 61.57(a) baseline is 3 takeoffs and 3 landings within the preceding 90 days as sole manipulator of the controls.
6. Instructors
To instruct in the R44, an instructor needs 200 helicopter hours with 50 in Robinson helicopters, and up to 25 R22 hours may be credited (§2(b)(5)(ii)). AC 61-65K notes the SFAR 73 instructor endorsements (A.63/A.67) may only be issued by an FAA inspector or an authorized designated examiner.
Example (made-up pilot, for illustration only)
A newly certificated private pilot has 70 helicopter hours, all in the R22, and wants to act as PIC of an R44.
- 200-hour path: not met.
- Training path: needs 10 hours of Robinson flight training with at least 5 in the R44, plus the A.66 endorsement. R22 flight training can supply up to 5 of the 10.
- Then: an SFAR 73 flight review in the R44 within 12 calendar months of A.66 (A.68), and 61.57 passenger currency in the R44.
- An R22 flight review doesn't satisfy the R44 requirement (§2(c)(2)).
Expiration: SFAR 73 expires August 22, 2029, unless sooner revised or rescinded (§3).
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