EXECUTIVE WATCH DAVID SMITH


ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY CEO & PRESIDENT


I


f there was a Mount Rushmore for the giants of helicopter history, the late Frank Robinson would be carved in granite. The rotorcraft pioneer’s driving vision was to put a sophisticatedly simple, affordable light helicopter in the sky. So, he left his position as a chief engineer at Hughes Aircraft to start Robinson Helicopter Company at the draft table in his Palos Verdes, California, living room where he began to will his vision into reality by founding Robinson Helicopter Company 53 years ago.


By Rick Weatherford


David Smith succeeded Kurt Robinson as President and CEO in February 2024.


14 Jan/Feb 2026


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