Kenny KellerCreator Helicopter Online Ground School LLC

RCH Safety Alert: Robinson R44 Hydraulic Controls Pre-Takeoff Check

8 Aug 2025 · 1 min

Watch on YouTube

1:11

This YouTube safety alert (RCH Safety Alert: Robinson R44 Hydraulic Controls Pre-Takeoff Check) features Kenny Keller and other speakers demonstrating a recommended pre-takeoff hydraulic/cyclic check for Robinson R44 Raven I/II helicopters with hydraulics. Speakers advise pulling the cyclic back about 1.5–2 inches to feel a slight vibration, then pushing the cyclic forward several times to detect resistance or lag that could indicate servo failure; the video also promotes free pilot training resources (Private Pilot 101/Privateblueprint.com) and includes a "stay-grounded" safety slogan (Helicopterground.com).

Questions this video answers

August 8, 2025

About 1.5 to 2 inches

Privateblueprint.com

Chapters

On one of the latest Robinson safety notices they are telling us to perform on the R44 Raven 1, Raven 2 R44 series with hydraulics. Our hydraulic test at 100%. Okay, so they're telling us that we want to go back about an inch and a half or two inches on the cyclic, feel that slight vibration, maybe our viewers can see it in the panel and then push our cyclic forward several times to feel any sort of resistance or lag on the system that could tell us, warn us about an impending servo failure or about any other deficiency in the system that needs to get checked. Nothing small, but that can keep us safe in the future.
Sure, sounds good. Great tip. I learned something.
Else new today and.
We have more free resources like this free video Private Pilot 101 Helicopter Training Blueprints, our Amazon number one best seller. We'll put a link around this video where you get a free PDF or the paperback copy. Privateblueprint.com all kinds of free info in there to help you get started on your flight training journey.
Peace out.
Peace out.
When you feel the pressure to fly, but know the right decision is to stay on the ground, hit the hogs no go and live to fly another day. Helicopterground.com.