VSKYLABS has just released their latest helicopter for X-Plane 11, the Robinson R44 Raven II. This release comes eight months after the release of the R66 by the developer. 

The R44 Raven II is a light single-engine helicopter currently produced by the Robinson Helicopter Company. The four-seater has been in production since 1990 and over 6,300 airframes have been produced. Based on the Robinson R-22, the aircraft is popular for its affordable purchase and operational costs. The Raven II is an improved version of the helicopter that features wider blades, a more powerful engine and improved performance. 

As all other VSKYLABS ‘Test-Pilot’ Series, the add-on was built to work with X-Plane’s Experimental Flight Model. Equipped with steam gauges and a GNS530, the VSKYLABS Raven II has many other features, the full list is available here:

• VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot' Project.
• Robust and Highly Defined flight dynamics model of the Robinson R44 Raven II helicopter, built around the powerful, native X-Plane 11 'Experimental Flight Model' environment.
• Highly detailed model of the Robinson R44 Raven II helicopter.
• Autorotation capable.
• Comprehensive systems which were designed to follow the real R44 Raven II POH, as authentically as possible within X-Plane 11 flight simulator limitations.
• Fully functional VR (Virtual Reality) Ready: highly interactive cockpit environment including levers, switches, guards, 3D checklist viewer, modular cyclic and more.
• Equipped with Robinson's classic 7 holes analog panel.
• R44 Auxiliary fuel system.
• Removable doors.
• Fully featured GNS530.
• Built-in Avitab Compatibility (Avitab plugin not included).
• Multi-Layer FMOD sound pack.
• The project is under constant development: development road-map is including flight model refinements, enhanced systems depth, additional liveries and other improvements.
• STMA Autoupdater is included: project updates are fast and efficient!
• Highly responsive VSKYLABS support forums.

The VSKYLABS R44 Raven II is available on the developer’s store or the X-Plane.org Store for $33.95. 

Check out our original article covering the announcement of the R44. We recently reviewed another helicopter, the JRX Design Gazelle, check out our article.