50th Anniversary of Robinson Helicopter Company

Robinson Helicopter Company is celebrating its 50th birthday today!

Today, June 20, 2023, marks 50 years since Robinson Helicopter Company began its operations. The company was founded on June 20, 1973 in California by Frank Robinson. Robinson's goal was to design and produce simple, reliable helicopters as cheaply as possible, without compromising quality.

Robinson's simple two-seater R22 (certified by the FAA in 1979) ushered in a new generation of helicopters. A simple, inexpensive helicopter made it possible to train pilots and purchase a helicopter for private purposes. The R22 generated considerable enthusiasm and interest in the aviation industry, and in 1988 it became the world's best-selling civilian helicopter.

In the 1990s, after the extraordinary success of the R22 and realization of the potential of a light, medium-sized helicopter, Robinson introduced a 4-seater helicopter, the R44. Orders for the R44 quickly grew, and the company became a recognized player in the aviation industry. In 2010, Robinson expanded its lineup again with a 5-seat, turbine-powered helicopter, the R66. While the R44 has maintained its status as the world’s best-selling civil helicopter since 1998, Robinson’s 5-seat, turbine-powered R66 is the company’s star. The R66 was designed using the same template as the R22 and R44, but offers increased capacity, improved high-altitude performance, and runs on readily available jet fuel. In 2021, sales of the R66 surpassed those of the popular R44 Raven II.

Robinson’s unwavering commitment to simplicity, reliability, and affordability has paid off. With a fleet of more than 13,000 helicopters operating worldwide, Robinson Helicopter Company has proven to be a leader in the helicopter industry.