HANGAR TALK Industry news relevant to your business
Helicopter Pioneer Frank Robinson Passes
On Nov. 12, 2022, Robinson Helicopter Company bid a final farewell to its founder, Frank Robinson. The 92-year-old passed away peacefully at his Rolling Hills, California, home.
One of the most recognizable names in the helicopter industry, Frank Robinson was a pioneer, a man not driven by reward or accolades, but by a vision that redefined the industry and forever changed general aviation.
Robinson will be remembered for the design and manufacture of the R22, R44, and R66 model helicopters. Known for their simplicity and reliability, the popular helicopters have a distinct profile and can be spotted easily and frequently all over the world.
Robinson’s fascination with helicopters began in 1939 at age 9, when he saw a picture in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer of Igor Sikorsky hovering his VS-300 helicopter. The image captivated Robinson and set the course for his life’s work.
He earned a BSME degree from the University of Washington, later attending Wichita State University’s graduate aeronautical engineering school. His career began in the late ‘50s with Cessna and continued through the ‘60s working for many leading aerospace companies, including Bell and Hughes. In 1973, at age 43, unable to interest any of his employers in the idea for a simple, personal helicopter, he resigned from his job at Hughes and founded Robinson Helicopter Company in his Palos Verdes, California, home. Six years later, defying critics and overcoming enormous obstacles, Robinson was granted FAA certification for his two-place, piston-powered R22 helicopter. The unknown helicopter company delivered its first production R22 in October 1979. By 1989, the R22 had gained a foothold in general aviation, opening a previously untapped market for private helicopter ownership.
24 Nov/Dec 2022
In the early ‘90s, realizing the potential for a light midsize helicopter, Robinson introduced the four-place piston-powered R44. Orders for the R44 quickly piled up and the company became a recognized player in the aviation industry. In 2010, Robinson once again expanded his line with the five-place turbine-powered R66.
Robinson’s relentless determination earned him the respect of both colleagues and competitors. Affectionately called a “rock star” in certain aviation circles, Robinson retired in 2010 at age 80.
The list of awards and honors bestowed on Robinson is long. Most notable:
• 2013 • 2011
• 2010 • 2011
Engineering • 2004 • 2000 • 1997 Test Pilots • 1992 Laurels Award – Aviation Week & Space Technology
• 1991 & 1990 Igor I. Sikorsky International Trophy – American Helicopter Society
Today, the company continues under the leadership of Frank’s son, Kurt Robinson, and has delivered over 13,000 helicopters worldwide.
Howard Hughes Memorial Award – Southern California Aeronautic Association Laurels Hall of Fame Legend - Aviation Week & Space Technology The Doolittle Award - Society of Experimental
Daniel Guggenheim Medal – AHS International Lifetime Aviation Engineering Award – Living
Legends of Aviation
Cierve Lecturer – Royal Aeronautical Society Inducted into the U.S. National Academy of
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83
