Frank Robinson's Innovative Chopper Revitalized An Industry

Yes... GA and BizAv is in really rough shape... but one of the truly monumental American aviation success stories revolves solely around the little helicopter that could -- and keeps doing so -- through some 10000 iterations thus far.

On the 10th of November, Robinson Helicopter delivered R44 S/N 13217, the company’s 10,000th helicopter to come off its production line. A celebration was held at the Torrance factory. Company employees along with representatives from the city, the FAA and many of Robinson’s vendors were in attendance.

Frank Robinson (pictured below), the company’s founder, spoke briefly to a packed room about the company’s humble beginnings. The company was founded in 1973 and the first Robinson helicopter was delivered in 1979. Today, Robinson Helicopter manufactures more civilian helicopters than any other helicopter manufacturer in the world. Robinson thanked the City of Torrance stating that it was the city’s unwavering support in the early years that convinced him to keep the company in Torrance. He went on to describe leaner times noting that unlike other helicopter manufactures, Robinson has never received a dime of government money or relied on government contracts.

Kurt Robinson, the company’s president, also spoke thanking employees for making “what we believe are the highest quality helicopters in the world.”

Robinson noted that based on statistics provided by the AIA (Aerospace Industries Association), Robinson has, since the early 80s, produced more civil helicopters than all other U.S. manufacturers combined. The company’s current production rate is ten helicopters per week and Robinson predicts the company’s total aircraft production for 2011 will more than double last year’s production.

The keys to the 10,000th helicopter were presented to Robinson’s Brazilian dealer, Audi Helicopters. Audi has been a Robinson dealer for 25 years and is one of two Robinson dealers in Brazil. Foreign orders have consistently represented more than 50% of the company’s total sales.

FMI: www.robinsonheli.com

Kurt Robinson