Starlite opts for Traxxal and gives first outing to R44 Cadet

The Irish headquartered company provides helicopter services and specialises, HEMS, medevac, and oil and gas support with its fleet of almost 50 aircraft including Airbus, Bell, Robinson and Sikorsky helicopters
The company’s aviation training arm in South Africa was the first on the continent to order the Robinson R44 Cadet. Suitable for a wide variety of utilitarian applications, the two seater R44 was developed specifically for the training market.
The Cadet retains the same basic airframe, rotor system and Lycoming O-540-F1B5 engine as the R44 Raven I, however, the rear seats have been removed and the aft compartment reconfigured for cargo. The maximum gross weight is 2200 lb/998kgs, 200 lb/98kgs less than the Raven I. The engine power is reduced to 210 HP take off/185 HP continuous, down from 225/205 HP in the Raven I. The lower weight and reduced power provide increased performance margins at high altitudes. In addition to a newly designed muffler, the Cadet’s flyover noise signature is more than three decibels lower than the current R44 Raven I. A variety of optional equipment is available, including air conditioning, auto pilot and avionic packages optimized for VFR or IFR training.
Starlite Aero Sales, one of the primary dealers in Robinson aircraft in South Africa, purchased the new Cadet. Company Director, Klara Fouché endorsed the aircraft’s capabilities as the new number one training aircraft and anticipates a keen interest from private and corporate business.