Frank Robinson Remembered | Aviation International News

HAI Convention News 2023

Frank Robinson Remembered

The founder of Robinson Helicopter had "tenacity that was overpowering."

Frank Robinson — Frank Robinson pilots his iconic R22 helicopter, which he designed, certified, and put into production after the established helicopter manufacturers rejected his ideas.(Photo: Robinson Helicopter Corp.)

By Mark Huber • Contributor

March 2, 2023

Frank Robinson died on Nov. 12, 2022 at the age of 92. He realized his dream of building a small, simple, and affordable helicopter. It transformed the industry and today Robinson Helicopter Corporation is the world’s most prolific civil rotorcraft manufacturer, with nearly 14,000 delivered to date. But it almost didn’t happen.

On April 29, 1977, less than two years after its first flight, test pilot Bob Golden was flying the lone R22 prototype when the tail rotor failed. He autorotated into the water and escaped unharmed, but the helicopter sank.

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