Frank Robinson, who turned 79 in January, likes to joke about his employees forcing him into retirement to pay him back for asking a former employee to retire at age 80. However, it is difficult to imagine Robinson Helicopter without Frank Robinson at the helm, although his children Terry and Kurt occupy leadership positions at the Torrance, Calif. company. Robinson is comfortable with leaving the factory for weeks at a time and happy that his team can run the company efficiently in his absence. Many of his employees have worked for Robinson Helicopter for 20 years and some for as long as 30. And while the economy offers its own challenges, Robinson still delivers about 15 helicopters a week and is well into the development program for its first turbine-powered helicopter, the R66.
Will Robinson replace the R22 with a stripped-down version of the R44?
We have not pushed the R22 for several years. Instead we have pushed the Raven I R44. It’s not a stripped-down version of the R44, it’s the same aircraft. Well, it has some changes but it still has a 12-volt electrical system and it still has a carburetor. But it’s a very reliable aircraft.
