Helicopter History Site
    Home | Main Sections | How they fly? | Using One | Featured | Companies
Send a Friend    



Part II

Back to Part I




  • January 1991 : New Model R44 four-seat helicopter is exhibited for the first time; FAA certification is expected in 1992.


  • June 1991 : R22 breaks its own speed records reaching a top speed of 143.61 mph; Robinson receives Igor I. Sikorsky Trophy recognizing world records.

  • November 1991: 2000th R22 helicopter is delivered.

  • December 1991 : Robinson production rate reaches all-time high with 402 R22s produced in 1991.

  • March 1992 : R44 base price of $235,000 is announced; deposits and orders are accepted.

  • December 1992 : FAA issues Type Certificate for R44 Astro; R22 is world’s top-selling helicopter for the fifth consecutive year.

  • January 1993 : In Argentina, Buenos Aires Police purchase forty R22 helicopters.

  • February 1993 : First production R44 Astro helicopter is delivered.

  • July 1994 : Robinson moves to new 260,000 square-foot manufacturing facility.

  • February 1996 : Model R22 Beta II is introduced with O-360 engine, giving it improved hover performance, and a base price of $135,000.

  • June 1997 : R44 Newscopter announced for high-quality live television broadcasting.

  • July 1997 : R44 Police Helicopter receives FAA certification.


  • August 1997 : R44 completes around-the-world flight with pilots Jennifer Murray and Quentin Smith.


  • November 1997 : Robinson is awarded ISO 9001 certification for helicopter design, manufacture and service.

  • February 1998 : First three R44 Newscopters are delivered.

  • June 1999 : FAA approves pop-out floats for R44 Clipper.

  • August 1999 : Hydraulic power controls are introduced for the R44 helicopters.

  • October 1999: 3000th R22 helicopter is delivered.

  • January 2000: Model R44 Raven is introduced with adjustable pedals and standard hydraulic controls; TBO for R22 and R44 is increased from 2000 to 2200 hours.

  • September 2000 : 4000th Robinson helicopter delivered – 3,132 R22s and 868 R44s; Jennifer Murray pilots her R44 helicopter, becoming the first woman to fly solo around the world.

  • February 2001 : 1000th R44 helicopter is delivered; Robinson launches new program for lightweight roof-top helipads for business and industrial parks.

  • January 2002 : R44 becomes the first US manufactured helicopter approved by Russia and other states of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

  • June 2002 : Robinson delivers the first digital ENG Newscopter to Metro Networks; the first R44 Police Helicopter is delivered to China .

  • July 2002: Robinson announces the new R44 Raven II; the new helicopter has more power, a higher gross weight, and increased altitude performance.

  • October 2002: R44 Raven II is the first piston helicopter to fly to the North Pole, piloted by Quentin Smith and Steve Brooks.

  • November 2002 : Robinson is the first US helicopter manufacturer to receive Japanese type certification.

  • June 2003 : First Robinson helipad opened at a private helistop at Honda of Santa Ana, CA.

  • September 2003: 5,000th helicopter delivered.

  • January 2004: Robinson announces company sales record with the production of 422 new helicopters in 2003.

  • January 2005: Robinson surpasses previous sales with 690 new helicopters produced in 2004; R44 Raven II is the first piston helicopter to fly to the South Pole, piloted by Quentin Smith and Steve Brooks.

  • February 2005 : New manufacturing facility opened which added 220,000 square feet to Robinson, totaling 480,000 square feet.

  • April 2005 : 6,000th helicopter delivered.



    Contribution: Robinson Helicopters




  •    Top | Back | Home    


    This page downloaded 04.Jul 2008 07:22:18 MDT
    Helicopter History Site - http://www.helis.com
    In cyberspace since 1997