Frank
Robinson was born in
Washington
State
, the youngest of four children. He grew up in a small town during
the Depression and worked his way through college. He aimed his
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
.
Robinson began his career in 1957 at Cessna Aircraft Company working
on the CH-1 Skyhook four-place helicopter. After 31/2 years
at Cessna, he spent one year at Umbaugh on the certification of its
gyroplane and 41/2 years
at McCulloch Motor Company doing design studies on inexpensive
rotorcraft. Robinson 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). 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
, and Robinson himself flew it on its first flight in August 1975.
After 31/2 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-1980s, Robinson and his staff of engineers began development
of the four-seat R44 helicopter, which he flew on its first flight
in March of 1990. FAA certification was received in late 1992, and
production deliveries began in 1993. By early 2007, more than 3,000
R44 helicopters had been delivered to over 70 countries, with the
R44 becoming even more popular than the two-seat R22. Since 1987,
RHC has produced more civil helicopters than any other manufacturer.
As President and Chairman of RHC, Robinson oversees a staff of
approximately 1,200 production and management employees.
Engineering
, design, and development remain Robinson’s primary interests,
although other management responsibilities consume much of his time.
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 recognized with numerous, prestigious
awards and honors presented to him by a variety of different
organizations (award details on following page).
Having
achieved some success, Robinson donated $1 million to the
University
of
Washington
for an endowed tuition scholarship fund based on financial need for
students graduating from
South
Whidbey
High School
, where he grew up, and another $1 million for students majoring in
engineering. He also donated $1 million to the
Smithsonian
Air & Space
Museum
and another million to the
American
Helicopter
Museum
in
Westchester
,
Pennsylvania
.
Robinson
remains active in his company and continues to refine the R22 and
R44 to enhance performance and reduce maintenance requirements.
Recent improvements include the powerful, fuel-injected R44 Raven
II. Today, Robinson directs the company’s development of its first
turbine helicopter, the five-place R66. The R66 made its first
flight in August 2007, and is undergoing flight testing and FAA
certification. Robinson regularly flies the company’s aircraft
and, on January 18, 2008, Robinson piloted the R66 on a test flight.
FRANK D. ROBINSON
Awards,
Honors, and Memberships
Awards
1990 Igor I. Sikorsky International Trophy American
Helicopter Society
& 91 “presented to the designer or builder of a pure
helicopter establishing an official world record during the
preceding year in the official Class E-1 categories prescribed by
the Federation Aeronautique Internationale for maximum speed,
altitude, distance, or payload, speed over a closed-circuit
distance, and/or around-the-world speed.”
1991 Distinguished Alumni Award University of
Washington
School of Engineering
“for notable achievement in the field of engineering.”
1992 Laurels Award Aviation Week & Space Technology
“for having made significant contributions to the global field
of aerospace.”
1993 Dr. Alexander Klemin Award American Helicopter
Society
“for notable achievement in the advancement of rotary wing
aeronautics.”
1997 The Doolittle Award Society of Experimental Test
Pilots
“for outstanding professional accomplishment in Aerospace
Technical Management and Engineering.”
1998 Entrepreneur of the Year Ernst & Young, et. al.
Western Region, Manufacturing
to recognize “excellence and entrepreneurial accomplishment.”
2000 Laurels Hall of Fame “Legend” Aviation Week &
Space Technology
Inductees are chosen from past Laurels winners meriting
exceptional recognition for “significant contributions to the global
field of aerospace.”
2001 Paul Tissandier Diploma Federation Aeronautique
Internationale
for “his years of contributions to the field of rotorcraft
aviation.”
(Awarded to those who have served the cause of general aviation
by their work, initiative, devotion, or in other ways.)
2004 Godfrey L. Cabot Award Aero Club of New England
Awarded for “unique, significant and unparalleled
contributions to advance and foster aviation flight.”
2004 Howard Hughes Memorial Award Southern California
Aeronautic Association
Awarded to an “aerospace leader whose accomplishments over a
long career have contributed significantly to the advancement of
aviation or space technology.”
Honorary Memberships
Full Member
Society of Experimental Test Pilots
Fellow
American Helicopter Society
