Start Printed Page 41628 Very productive in house fabrication and istallation. Robinson's two-seat R22 and four-seat R44 helicopters offer public and private users a low-cost alternative to jet turbine helicopters such as the Bell JetRanger. She formerly worked as the Torrance/Carson reporter for the Daily Breeze and as a city hall reporter for the Santa Monica Daily Press. This time was different: The student was carrying a cassette recorder to capture her flight lesson on tape, which revealed no warning of trouble. In 2010, the company once again expanded its line with the five-seat turbine-powered R66 helicopter. 05/01/2023, 858 People who like adventure are attracted to our products, he said. (3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The FAA also reviewed Robinson R44 Service Bulletin SB-110, which specifies removing P/N C029-3 blades with S/N 9910 through 10659 from service and Robinson R66 Service Bulletin SB-40, which specifies removing P/N F029-1 blades with S/N 2410 through 2589 from service. "We intend to go on for many, many more years, so he's left a real legacy. Federal Register issue. What Else Does Robinson Helicopter Company Manufacture? The FAA responded by issuing Special Flight Aviation Regulation 73, which requires extra instruction about mast-bumping risks and low-G conditions, along with specific flight checks for pilots of the R22 and R44. R66 Turbine Marine. In an effort to improve product quality, they manufacture many of their parts in house and also have a very skilled workforce. This action may be performed by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate and must be entered into the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in accordance with 14 CFR43.9(a) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). I thought, wait a minute, they can continue to make this same part even after they knew? Robinson Helicopter Company Russian Helicopters, JSC Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. Table of content for the HelicopterMarket includes: Global HelicopterMarket: Research Methodology . Designer Stanley Hiller had fanned the idea in the late-1940s, and some futurists' vision of the 1950s and 1960s included a helicopter in every driveway. The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-19-08, which applies to certain Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) Model R44 and R44 II helicopters. Use the PDF linked in the document sidebar for the official electronic format. daily Federal Register on FederalRegister.gov will remain an unofficial Visit our company website at. Robinson was not the first person who aspired to create an affordable helicopter for personal use. Concept Tested With Sikorskys Black Hawk, CTs Sikorsky and Parent Lockheed Say They Will No Longer Protest Loss of Army Helicopter Contract, Air Tourism Center Would Create New Home for Rainbow Air. [23][24][25], Data from Robinson R44 Raven II Pilot's Operating Handbook and FAA approved rotorcraft flight manual, dated 13 June 2005, and new Robinson R44 Raven II specifications. [20]:12 The FAA, the governing body in the country of manufacture whose directives would normally be followed in other countries like Australia, had not mandated the retrofit; CASA therefore issued Australian-specific airworthiness directive AD/R44/23, grounding R44 aircraft on 30 April 2013 that had not yet been upgraded. "His legacy was to develop a low-cost reliable helicopter, that was more affordable, that more people could own in order to expand the industry," said Kurt. R44 Cadet with Floats. . The company recommended that the change should be done as soon as practical, but no later than 31 December 2014. Due to their unique main rotor design, during a sudden and prolonged or severe low-G condition Robinson helicopters can roll rapidly to the right and likely break up before a pilot can recover, New Zealand government accident investigators said in a 2016 report on a fatal R44 mast-bumping. The week-long course covers maintenance on all three RHC airframes the piston-powered two-place R-22 and four-place R-44, and the turbine-powered five-place R-66. After making eight aircraft in 1979, Robinson produced 78 units in 1980 and 176 the next year. Robinson Helicopter's Pilot Safety Course Provides the Groundwork for In July 2006, Robinson addressed the issue not by fortifying its tanks, but by trying to fireproof pilots and passengers. He really loved living here and weve been part of the community for over 40 years. Crashes of Robinson helicopters have killed 176 people to date. This service bulletin specifies removing P/N C029-3 blades with S/N 9410 through 9909 from service. Robinson began his engineering career working on the CH-1 Skyhook for Cessna Aircraft Company. He built a prototype of the two-seat, piston-engine R22 in a hangar at nearby Torrance Airport, now home to the companys 600,000-square-foot factory. [3] In January 2000, Robinson introduced the Raven with hydraulically assisted controls[4] and adjustable pedals. Robinson had also looked at locations in the South and Midwest. that agencies use to create their documents. This check is an exception to the FAA's standard maintenance regulations. That image stuck with Robinson and drove the course of his career and life. He later worked on rotorcraft research for manufacturers including McCulloch Motor Company, Kaman Aircraft, Bell Helicopter, and, finally, Hughes Aircraft Company, which he joined in 1969. Relevant information about this document from Regulations.gov provides additional context. His wife Barbara became marketing director, and three of the couple's six children would also eventually work for the company. Sixty workers were soon laid off, however, due to a sales slowdown. Robinson was also a major figures of the Torrance and Palos Verdes communities, and played an integral role in putting Torrance's aviation industry on the map. Replacing a blade would take about 3.5 work-hours and parts would cost about $3,320 for an estimated cost of $3,618 per blade and up to $3,125,952 for the U.S. fleet. Airworthiness Directives; Robinson Helicopter Company Helicopters Its another thing, from an engineering standpoint, to say, How are you going to do this? This is not a simple thing to do.. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Initial financing was in the $2 to $3 million range. America's . This condition, if not addressed, could result in reduced controllability and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. Production fell from 390 aircraft in 2000 to 328 in 2001; Robinson still out-produced Eurocopter, its closest volume rival, which saw output rise fifteen percent to 280 units. Frank Robinson was born in 1930 and grew up near Seattle. Robinson Helicopter Company was founded in 1973 by Frank Robinson, whose vision was to produce the world's highest quality, most reliable helicopters in the most efficient, cost-effective way possible. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-19-08, it was determined that an additional model helicopter and additional blades are affected by the unsafe condition. It is also a popular choice for law enforcement agencies. The diesel could provide better altitude performance, a fuel burn reduced from 16 to 12USgal (61 to 45L) per hour and better fuel availability. By this time, Robinson was selling more helicopters than anybody else, including Bell, Sikorsky, Boeing, and McDonnell Douglas. Of the 13,000 helicopters Robinson has sold, 1,200 have crashed. This table of contents is a navigational tool, processed from the An overflowing order book called for a major expansion of the Torrance plant. Frank Robinson, founder of Torrance's Robinson Helicopter Company, dies Overtime sometimes on weekends. St. James Press, 2003. I was very happy when they emerged alive, said golfer Kevin Keating, who saw the R44 fall from the sky. It's been a really good partnership," said Kurt. But the following year, at age 80, Robinson did retire from the iconic helicopter company he founded in 1973, turning control over to his son, Kurt. It doesnt even keep track of statistical data to address recurring problems or determine the numbers of people who have been injured or killed. [20]:7, Although the data did not consider which type of fuel tanks were fitted, the report mentioned four fatal accidents to the R44 fitted with bladder-type tanks, but as far as they knew, did not involve a post-accident fire. And if we branch out from the R44 model, the statistics are even worse. This R66 Turbine was finally certified in 2010 to the updated federal regulation amendments. Register (ACFR) issues a regulation granting it official legal status. In 2013, Robinson was the global market leader, selling 523 light helicopters, a 1% increase from 2012. This service information specifies inspecting the sensor wiring, installing a governor wiring kit, and accomplishing the starting engine and run-up checklist to verify proper . The incident was actually discovered when the ground crew noticed an abnormal noise during a shipboard landing. It is not an official legal edition of the Federal documents in the last year, 295 All data presented is for entertainment purposes and should not be used operationally. The OFR/GPO partnership is committed to presenting accurate and reliable This is when load on the rotor assembly is reduced during flight, resulting in flapping of the rotor blades. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and prevent cracks in the affected blades. He really did have a true love of the industry. R22 Beta II. FAA-2022-0872; Project Identifier AD-2022-00431-R. Robinson R44 - Aviation Consumer The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Robinson Helicopter Company Model R44 and R44 II helicopters. Robinson introduced its first helicopter, the 2-place piston powered R22 in 1979. His left arm was partly paralyzed and he now walks with a limp. In 2013, the board expressed concern that the company had never found the root cause of the problem and thus could not ensure that it would not recur. Helicopters generally share a basic design: A main rotor system attached to a vertical drive shaft, or mast, provides the lift and thrust. [7] Several Robinson helicopters have been destroyed in incidents where mast bumping was determined to have occurred. Machinist (Former Employee) - Torrance, CA - November 10, 2020. Based on the company's two-seat Robinson R22, the R44 features hydraulically assisted flight controls. (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. https://www.latimes.com/projects/la-me-robinson-helicopters. documents in the last year, 494 Robinson Helicopter is one of best known helicopter manufacturers, despite only producing three models. "He was captivated with helicopters and really wanted to develop that as a personal transport and the rest is history," said Kurt. Robinson helicopters use a patented design for their main rotor, with a triple-hinged rotor assembly "teetering" atop an extended mast. The FAA Is Under Pressure to Ground Robinson Helicopter,", Flint, Jerry, "The Bird Man of Torrance,", "Foreign Helicopter Giants Vie for Chinese Market,", "Frank Robinson Donates $1 Million to Helicopter Museum,", Jones, Sam L., "Robinson Maintains Its Niche for Piston-Powered 'Copters,", Lambert, Mark, "Civil Helicopters; 1984 Is the Year of Change,", ------, "Hard Times, But Some Hope for the Helicopter Men,", Lewis, Paul, "Annual Sales: Output Slumps as Economies Slow,", Morris, John, "Little Growth Forecast for Helicopter Deliveries,", Pae, Peter, "Flying High with Modest Venture; Robinson Becomes Top-Selling Maker of Civilian Copters by Sticking to Its Mom-and-Pop Origins,", Parke, Robert B., "FAA Limits Robinson Flight Operations,", Phillips, Edward H., "NTSB Urges FAA to Ground R22/R44 Helicopters,", ------, "Robinson, Federal Agencies at Odds Over R44, R22 Issues,", ------, "R22 Main Rotor Focus of NTSB Report,", "Robinson Helicopter: The Discipline of the Marketplace,", Sarsfield, Kate, "Hydraulic Controls Prove Big Hit for R44 Sales,", ------, "Order Surge Fuels Robinson's Plans for Expansion,", ------, "Robinson Considers New Engine for Popular R44,", Scott, William B., "Reliability, Low Operating Costs Key to Robinson R-44 Sales,", Smith, Bruce A., "Robinson Helicopter's R44 to Offer Greater Capacity, Speed Than R22,", Sweetman, Bill, "US Manufacturers Get Their House in Order,", Swertlow, Frank, "Choppers on the Cheap,", Vartabedian, Ralph, "Low-Cost Copter Builder Tops Sales of Big-Name Rivals,", ------, "Robinson Helicopters Taking Off,", Wastnage, Justin, "Upgraded Raven Goes on Sale,". The company vigorously defended its record, maintaining that its aircraft are safe and reliable when flown within their operating limits. Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Each document posted on the site includes a link to the And he got in the helicopter and he actually hovered it, which is very impressive. In an interview, Kurt Robinson described the vibration as a red herring that was more of an annoyance than a safety issue and said the company addressed it years ago by changing to firmer rubber gearbox mounts. This AD applies to the following Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) helicopters, certificated in any category: (1) Robinson Model R44 and R44 II helicopters with a tail rotor blade (blade) part number (P/N) C029-3 with serial number (S/N) 9410 through 9909 inclusive, installed; (2) Robinson Model R44 and R44 II helicopters with a blade P/N C029-3 with S/N 9910 through 10659 inclusive, installed; and. 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. The R22 was introduced in 1979, and thanks to its low cost and easy maintenance, it quickly became a favorite at flight schools and with private owners. Nor does it retain detailed records of accidents or incidents, compile statistical data to track recurring issues or tally how many people have been killed or injured in its helicopters. Call our Chicago aviation injury lawyers today at 312-605-8800 to arrange a free consultation. It provides parts and accessories, helicopter and engine overhauls, helicopter repairs, and educational courses for pilots and maintenance technicians. In August 1985, the company introduced the Beta model of the R22, featuring advanced avionics. Many bore signs of mast-bumping, but exact causes could not be determined because there were no survivors or onboard data recorders. I mean, that's somebody just learning how to fly," said Kurt. include documents scheduled for later issues, at the request In 1957, he earned a BSME degree from the University of Washington and later attended graduate school at the University of Wichita. Register documents. the official SGML-based PDF version on govinfo.gov, those relying on it for They put people in the air who otherwise would not be able to afford to fly helicopters or buy helicopters, said Ilyas Akbari, a Los Angeles aviation attorney whose firm has brought about a dozen lawsuits alleging that design defects make Robinsons unforgiving of pilot mistakes and inherently unsafe. documents in the last year, by the Energy Department rendition of the daily Federal Register on FederalRegister.gov does not Predictably, as Robinson continues to operate in this manner, tragedy continues to strike. Oh, man, were they lucky.. Before jurors began deliberations on punitive damages, the two sides reached a confidential settlement. In early 2002, a Honda dealer in Santa Ana, California, began installing the first at his auto lot. In the mid-1980s, Robinson began development on the four-seat piston-powered R44 helicopter, which hit the market in 1993 and eventually outsold the R22. [26], Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era, "2013 General Aviation Statistical Databook & 2014 Industry Outlook", General Aviation Manufacturers Association, "Robinson Introduces the Two-Place R44 Cadet", "Robinson Helicopter upbeat on diesel R&D with R44 Raven II", "Crash of helicopter on Catalina is fourth fatal accident of this model since April", "Lebanese Army Takes Delivery of Two More Robinsons", "PNP gets 3 Raven choppers for anti-crime operations", "Lotnicze Pogotowie Ratunkowe Przekazanie samolotw i migowcw szkoleniowych dla LPR", " " "" "", "South Africa Combats Crime with R44 Raven II Police Helicopters", "Down one search-and-rescue helicopter, Alaska State Troopers reorganize", "Uruguay suma helicpteros estadounidenses a la polica para reforzar la vigilancia", Collision with terrain involving Robinson R44 helicopter, VH-HWQ, Preliminary, Prohibition of FlightC016-7 Main Rotor Blades, "Australia, New Zealand Ground Some R-44s", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Robinson_R44&oldid=1148577372, This page was last edited on 7 April 2023, at 01:19. The agencys estimates, published each year by a group of professional statisticians and currently available through 2016, are based on a survey sent to operators in the field. In contrast, the Bell Jet Ranger, a five-seat, turbine-powered helicopter, cost $600,000. Some pilots or their surviving family members said they were stunned to learn after accidents of the R44s safety issues, and they questioned why regulators had not taken stronger action. And two months before that, an R44 suddenly lost power and crashed on a golf course maintenance yard in Santa Barbara, seriously injuring the pilot and two passengers, a young couple on a sightseeing tour. He said the FAA flight-hour totals used to calculate the accident rate are a guesstimate.. Ladd Sanger, the Slack Davis Sanger aviation attorney was interviewed during this investigation. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to James Guo, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, Los Angeles ACO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712; telephone (562) 627-5357; email The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in reduced controllability and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. Robinson was among the first North American aerospace firms to be awarded ISO 9001 certification for helicopter design . Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc. Economic Sanctions & Foreign Assets Control, Smoking Cessation and Related Indications, Labeling of Plant-Based Milk Alternatives and Voluntary Nutrient Statements, Authority To Order the Ready Reserve of the Armed Forces to Active Duty To Address International Drug Trafficking, Revitalizing Our Nation's Commitment to Environmental Justice for All, (i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs), https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2022-14830, MODS: Government Publishing Office metadata. Checking a blade for any crack would take about 0.25 work-hour for an estimated cost of up to $44 per helicopter (up to two affected blades per helicopter) and up to $19,008 for the U.S. fleet per check. documents in the last year, 125 Today the R44 sells for about $475,000, the R22 for about $300,000 and the R66 a five-seat turbine-powered model introduced in 2010 for about $900,000. He financed his education at the University of Washington by working on cargo ships, reports Forbes; thus, he did not graduate until he was 27. documents in the last year, by the International Trade Commission (3) For helicopters identified in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD, within 3 months after September 22, 2021 (the effective date of AD 2021-19-08) remove from service any blade identified in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD. Robinson Helicopter Company opened shop in 1973. Robinson founded the Robinson Helicopter Company out of his Palos Verdes home in 1973 and developed the first R22 prototype at the Torrance Airport. The CAA left the Airworthiness Directive requiring repetitive inspections in place, however. Robinson Helicopter Company. 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. The two-place R22 quickly became the world's top-selling civil helicopter and turned Robinson into what many think of as the "Henry Ford of helicopters." Robinson Helicopter offers three main product lines: the two-seat R22, the four-seat R44, and its newest model -- the five-seat R66 Turbine. Expert aviation consultants find this shocking, and they have been quoted saying they believe Robinson Helicopter Company engages in these shoddy record-keeping practices with the specific intent to divest itself of all records in an attempt to have plausible deniability related to responsibility.. [FR Doc. None were wearing fire-resistant gear. The R44 has been the world's best-selling general aviation (GA . Just two years later he took the two-seat, piston powered helicopter on its first flight with a mere 60 hours of flight experience behind him. You may examine the AD docket at If sending information directly to the manager of the certification office, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD. Ten years later they introduced the R44 Raven II, which had an advanced engine, as well as an improved 28-volt electrical system. (2) If there is any crack, before further flight, remove the blade from service. The helicopter broke apart in midair so suddenly it interrupted the pilot in midsentence. Minutes later, as the helicopter lifted off with 40 gallons of fuel in its tanks, its rotor blades clipped a metal canopy over the fuel island. [5], Robinson has carried out ground run testing with an aircraft diesel engine that could replace its Lycoming IO-540 avgas engine. Robinson R44: The Best Selling Civilian Helicopter Yet! Santa Maria's purportedly cumbersome licensing process helped seal that decision. In July 2015, a federal jury in Mississippi awarded Wells $2.8 million for his injuries and economic damages, along with $700,000 to Farmers widow. [19], An accident investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) in March 2013 found, after analyzing historical data, that a significantly higher proportion of R44 aircraft (12%) caught fire after crashing, compared to accidents involving other types of piston-engine helicopters (7%). Frank Robinson was a former employee of both Hughes Helicopters and Bell Helicopter. Airworthiness Directives; Robinson Helicopter Company Helicopters In Southern California, three R44s have crashed since January 2017, killing three people and injuring six others, NTSB records show. This proposed AD would also require, within three months after the effective date of AD 2021-19-08 or within six months after the effective date of this AD, as applicable, removing all affected blades from service. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. The President of the United States manages the operations of the Executive branch of Government through Executive orders. Federal eRulemaking Portal: james.guo@faa.gov. He developed his fascination with helicopters at the tender age of 9 when he saw a photo in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer of Igor Sikorsky hovering his VS300 Prototype helicopter. Both models dominated the competition . Robinson Helicopter Company | LinkedIn R44 Clipper II Popout. has no substantive legal effect. documents in the last year, 37 in Political Science and Middle Eastern Studies from Columbia University. Clara covers LAUSD for the LA Daily News in addition to writing about housing policy, homelessness and mental health. This AD was prompted by reports of cracked tail rotor blades (blades). It does not retain records related to helicopter accidents or other types of incidents. Tragically, those who were in the helicopter now fall among the nearly 600 people that have died in Robinson helicopter crashes since 1982. The factory can produce up to 1,000 helicopters per year. Privacy Policy, Brown, David A., "Piston-Powered R44 Offers Low-Cost Flight,", Del Valle, Christina, and Larry Armstrong, "33 Crashes: Design Flaw or Pilot Error? . The FAA rejected that claim. Between 2006 and 2016, Robinson R44s alone were involved in 42 deadly helicopter crashes. documents in the last year, 19 R44 helicopters that were manufactured before December of 2010, as well as all R22 helicopters, have fuel tanks that are more susceptible to rupturing than other fuel tanks. The company manufactures non-military helicopters used in applications such as police work, television news reporting, instrument flight training, radio traffic reporting, and emergency services. Robinson had projected sales of 500 units a year by 1982, reported American Metal Markets, but did not meet the figure due to a recession. Another problem that Robinson Helicopter was involved in dealt with mast bumping. The company is based in Torrance, California at Zamperini Field. Aviation consultant William Lawrence, a retired Marine Corps colonel and helicopter test pilot and instructor who has testified as a paid expert against Robinson Helicopter Co. in a dozen lawsuits, contends the company willfully ignores safety issues to avoid liability. 05/01/2023, 258 Robinson Helicopter Company - Wikipedia When I was 9 or 10 I saw a picture in the Seattle newspaper of Igor Sikorsky hovering in a VS-300 prototype, Robinson said in a 2010 lecture at the Royal Aeronautical Society in England. Only official editions of the Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows: 1. by the Securities and Exchange Commission Monday thru Friday. Nov. 13TORRANCE Aviation visionary and South Bay legend Frank Robinson has died at 92. leaving behind six children, a company of over 1,000 employees and a forever changed helicopter industry. (3) AMOCs approved previously for AD 2021-19-08 are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding requirements in paragraph (g) of this AD. 49 U.S.C. Airworthiness Directives; Robinson Helicopter Company Helicopters In each model, Robinson played an integral role in the engineering and development. In 1957, he earned a BSME degree from the University of Washington and later attended graduate school at the University of Wichita. [20]:7 Preliminary analysis by the ATSB of the NTSB's accident database found a similar statistic, with 15% of accidents in the US involving R44 helicopters having post-crash fires. Helicopter Pioneer Frank Robinson Passes | Markets Insider It is a five-seat helicopter of similar configuration to the R44, but with the addition of a luggage compartment, wider cabin by 8in (20cm), and powered by a Rolls-Royce RR300 gas turbine engine. [5], Robinson also produces the Robinson Helipad, a modular helipad designed for light helicopters.[6]. This means that they are not agents of Robinson Helicopter Company. No other make of helicopter is subject to such a regulation, according to the FAA. The R44 also boasted low operating costs and required less frequent servicing than typical helicopters. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: Having been produced since 1990, Robinson have produced over 6,500 R44s to date, making it the most . In 2018, a U.S. lawsuit accused the Robinson Helicopter Company of defective manufacturing after a mast-bumping event caused the in-flight breakup of an R66 helicopter.[12]. I will tell you Ive never seen anybody hurt with that, he said. Two early R22's were in fatal accidents, however, leading to a redesign of rotor blades. Nov. 13TORRANCE Aviation visionary and South Bay legend Frank Robinson has died at 92. leaving behind six children, a company of over 1,000 employees and a forever changed helicopter industry. documents in the last year, 153 website: Robinson Helicopters TORRANCE, Calif., Nov. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On November 12, 2022 Robinson Helicopter Company bid a final farewell to its founder, Frank Robinson.Robinson, 92, passed away peacefully at his . A float-equipped version, dubbed the Mariner, was introduced later in the year and was priced at $94,850.