Industry Aerospace Website www.robinsonheli.com Founded 1973 Number of employees 1,300 | Products Helicopters Founder Frank D. Robinson Revenue 200 million USD Type of business Private | |
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Key people Kurt Robinson, President and Chairman Headquarters Torrance, California, United States | ||
The Robinson Helicopter Company, based at Zamperini Field in Torrance, California, is a manufacturer of civil helicopters. Robinson produces three models — the two-seat R22, the four-seat R44, both of which use Lycoming piston engines, and the five-seat R66, which uses a turbine engine.
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History
The company was founded in 1973 by Frank Robinson, a former employee of Bell Helicopter and Hughes Helicopters. Since delivering its first helicopter in 1979, Robinson Helicopter has produced over 12,000 aircraft.
Plans for production of the Robinson R66 were announced in March 2007. It is a five-seat helicopter of similar configuration to the R44, but with the addition of a luggage compartment, wider cabin (by 8 inches), and powered by a Rolls-Royce RR300 gas turbine engine.
In 2013, Robinson was the global market leader, selling 523 light helicopters, a 1% increase from 2012. However the production in 2014 was 329 aircraft. In 2015, Robinson produces one R22, 4-5 R44 and three R66 per week, and has contracted with Rolls Royce to supply 100 RR300 turbines per year for 10 years for the R66. The factory can produce up to 1,000 helicopters per year.
Products
Robinson also produces the Robinson Helipad, a modular helipad designed for light helicopters.