Frank D. Robinson
Encyclopedia
Franklin D. "Frank" Robinson (born 1930 in Whidbey Island, WA) is an engineer
and the founder, president and Chief Executive Officer of Robinson Helicopter Company
of Torrance, California
. In the early 1970s, he designed the Robinson R22
helicopter, a popular, light, two-place civilian aircraft.
in Washington State and received his BSME degree from the University of Washington
in 1957, with graduate work in aeronautical engineering at the University of Wichita.
He started his engineering career in 1957 at Cessna
Aircraft Company working on the Cessna CH-1
Skyhook four-place helicopter. After 3 1/2 years at Cessna, he spent one year working on the certification of the Umbaugh U-17 and 4 1/2 years at McCulloch Aircraft Corporation
doing design studies on inexpensive rotorcraft. Robinson worked one year at Kaman Aircraft
on gyrodyne-type rotorcraft. After this he spent two years 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 "The Quiet One" program.
Robinson resigned from Hughes in 1973 and founded Robinson Helicopter Company. 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 hangar at the Torrance Airport, and Robinson himself flew it on its first flight in August 1975.
Robinson is a recipient of the Howard Hughes Memorial Award
from the Southern California Aeronautic Association given "to an aerospace leader whose accomplishments over a long career have contributed significantly to the advancement of aviation or space technology." http://www.aeroclubsocal.org/scaahowardhughes.html#
On August 10, 2010, Frank Robinson announced he has resigned as President and Chairman of Robinson Helicopter Company. Robinson intended to retire on his 80th birthday in January, 2010 but elected to postpone his retirement until the design of the Robinson R66
Turbine was complete. With R66 production underway and FAA certification imminent, Robinson decided to make his retirement official. Kurt Robinson was elected by the Board of Directors to assume the positions of President and Chairman on August 10, 2010.
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
and the founder, president and Chief Executive Officer of Robinson Helicopter Company
Robinson Helicopter
The Robinson Helicopter Company, based at Zamperini Field in Torrance, California, is the largest manufacturer of civil helicopters in North America.-History:...
of Torrance, California
Torrance, California
Torrance is a city incorporated in 1921 and located in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County, California, United States. Torrance has of shore-front beaches on the Pacific Ocean, quieter and less well-known by tourists than others on the Santa Monica Bay, such as those of neighboring...
. In the early 1970s, he designed the Robinson R22
Robinson R22
The Robinson R22 is a two-bladed, single-engine light utility helicopter manufactured by Robinson Helicopter. The two-seat R22 was designed in 1973 by Frank Robinson and has been in production since 1979.-Development:...
helicopter, a popular, light, two-place civilian aircraft.
Life
Robinson was born on Whidbey IslandWhidbey Island
Whidbey Island is one of nine islands located in Island County, Washington, in the United States. Whidbey is located about north of Seattle, and lies between the Olympic Peninsula and the I-5 corridor of western Washington...
in Washington State and received his BSME degree from the University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
in 1957, with graduate work in aeronautical engineering at the University of Wichita.
He started his engineering career in 1957 at Cessna
Cessna
The Cessna Aircraft Company is an airplane manufacturing corporation headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, USA. Their main products are general aviation aircraft. Although they are the most well known for their small, piston-powered aircraft, they also produce business jets. The company is a subsidiary...
Aircraft Company working on the Cessna CH-1
Cessna CH-1
The Cessna CH-1 is the only helicopter ever built by the Cessna Aircraft Company. It was the first helicopter to land on the summit of Pike's Peak and the last piston-engined helicopter to set the helicopter altitude record. The CH-1 had a single, two-bladed main rotor, and a front-mounted...
Skyhook four-place helicopter. After 3 1/2 years at Cessna, he spent one year working on the certification of the Umbaugh U-17 and 4 1/2 years at McCulloch Aircraft Corporation
McCulloch Aircraft Corporation
The McCulloch Aircraft Corporation was the aircraft division of the McCulloch Motors Corporation. McCulloch acquired Helicopter Engineering Research Corp in 1951. It manufactured two innovative helicopter designs — the tandem-rotor MC-4 and the J-2 autogyro.Rights to the twin-rotor MC-4...
doing design studies on inexpensive rotorcraft. Robinson worked one year at Kaman Aircraft
Kaman Aircraft
Kaman Aircraft is a U.S. aerospace company, with headquarters in Bloomfield, Connecticut. It was founded in 1945 by Charles Kaman. During the first ten years the company operated exclusively as a designer and manufacturer of several helicopters that set world records and achieved many aviation...
on gyrodyne-type rotorcraft. After this he spent two years 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 "The Quiet One" program.
Robinson resigned from Hughes in 1973 and founded Robinson Helicopter Company. RHC’s first business address was Robinson’s home where the two-seat R22
Robinson R22
The Robinson R22 is a two-bladed, single-engine light utility helicopter manufactured by Robinson Helicopter. The two-seat R22 was designed in 1973 by Frank Robinson and has been in production since 1979.-Development:...
helicopter was designed. The first R22 prototype was built in a hangar at the Torrance Airport, and Robinson himself flew it on its first flight in August 1975.
Robinson is a recipient of the Howard Hughes Memorial Award
Howard Hughes Memorial Award
The Howard Hughes Memorial Award is an aviation industry award presented annually by the Aero Club of Southern California. According to the Association's official website, the award is given "to an aerospace leader whose accomplishments over a long career have contributed significantly to the...
from the Southern California Aeronautic Association given "to an aerospace leader whose accomplishments over a long career have contributed significantly to the advancement of aviation or space technology." http://www.aeroclubsocal.org/scaahowardhughes.html#
On August 10, 2010, Frank Robinson announced he has resigned as President and Chairman of Robinson Helicopter Company. Robinson intended to retire on his 80th birthday in January, 2010 but elected to postpone his retirement until the design of the Robinson R66
Robinson R66
|-See also:-External links:*...
Turbine was complete. With R66 production underway and FAA certification imminent, Robinson decided to make his retirement official. Kurt Robinson was elected by the Board of Directors to assume the positions of President and Chairman on August 10, 2010.