Frank Robinson, founder of Robinson Helicopter Company, officially announced his resignation as President and Chairman of the Board on August 10 2010.
Robinson had intended to retire on his 80th birthday, in January of this year, but elected to postpone his retirement until the design of the new Robinson R66 Turbine was complete. With R66 production underway and FAA certification imminent, Robinson decided to make his retirement official.
Born in Washington State, Robinson aimed his tertiary education specifically at helicopter design, receiving his BSME degree from the University of Washington in 1957, with graduate work in aeronautical engineering at the University of Wichita. In 1957 he began his career at Cessna Aircraft Company working on the CH-1 Skyhook four-place helicopter.
After three and a half years at Cessna, Robinson spent one year at Umbaugh on the certification of its gyroplane and four and a half years at McCulloch Motor Company doing design studies on inexpensive rotorcraft. He then worked at Kaman Aircraft for one year on gyrodyne-type rotorcraft, followed by two years in R&D at Bell Helicopter where he earned a reputation as a tail rotor expert. In 1969, he moved to Hughes Helicopter Company to work on a variety of R&D projects, including a new tail rotor for the Hughes 500 helicopter and work on the “quiet helicopter” program.
Unable to interest any of his employers in his own concept for a small, low-cost helicopter, Robinson resigned from Hughes in 1973 and founded Robinson Helicopter Company (RHC) that same year. RHC’s first business address was Robinson’s home, where the two-seat R22 helicopter was designed.
The first R22 prototype was built in a tin hanger at the Torrance Airport, California and Robinson himself flew it on its first flight in August 1975. After three and a half years of testing and technical analysis, the R22 received its FAA Type Certificate in 1979. The first production R22 was delivered in late 1979, and the R22 soon became the world’s top selling civil helicopter. In addition, the R22 holds most world records in its weight class including speed and altitude.
In the mid-80s, Robinson and his staff of engineers began developing the four-seat R44 helicopter, which he flew on its first flight in March 1990. FAA certification was received in late 1992 and production deliveries began in 1993, and today the R44 has eclipsed the R22 in popularity. Since 1987, RHC has produced more civilian helicopters than any other manufacturer in the world.
Robinson is an experienced helicopter pilot and flies the R22 and R44 helicopters regularly for personal and business purposes, including experimental test flying. He is a full member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots and a Fellow of the American Helicopter Society. His accomplishments have been recognised with numerous, prestigious awards and honors presented to him by a variety of different organisations.
Robinson Vice President – Product Support, Kurt Robinson (Frank’s son), was elected by the Board of Directors to assume the positions of President and Chairman on the same day as Frank announced his retirement. The younger Robinson has been working for the helicopter manufacturer since 1987.
“While there is no one person that can replace Frank, we have a very strong team of managers that have been with the company for more than 20 years,” Kurt said. “We are looking forward to a smooth transition and an exciting future.”
RHC’s upper management team remains in place and the company does not anticipate any significant changes.