After enduring a Covid-induced delivery slump in 2020, Robinson Helicopter is experiencing a resurgence. Company president and chairman Kurt Robinson told AIN that after a dip in deliveries to 177 units in 2020, the Torrance, California-based manufacturer rebounded to 244 deliveries last year even as it continued to sort out Covid restrictions and supply chain disruptions.
Making up its 2021 deliveries were 33 R22s, 10 R44 Cadets, 34 R44 Raven Is, 81 Raven IIs, and 86 of its top-of-the-line turbine-powered R66s, for a 37 percent rise in deliveries over the previous year. “That was a significant increase, and actually, it was the first time we produced more 66s than Raven IIs,” explained Robinson, adding that “last year, the orders just kept coming in and so we’ve been trying to raise production [rates].”
After tallying orders for approximately 450 helicopters last year, Robinson noted the company now has a backlog of 300 helicopters with orders placed now likely to be fulfilled in early 2023. “If I had a ship completed now we could sell it in about a minute,” said Robinson. “What we’re really impressed with is demand seems to be coming from all over the world.”
Given those conditions, Robinson expects this year’s delivery total to continue that upward trajectory. “I’m targeting the 340-350 range, but we’ll have to see how it goes because there are still residual effects of supplier issues and hiring, and everything else that is going on,” he said. “We did 500 back in 2013 but we are definitely coming back up. I believe we’ll be in the range of 400 to 500 helicopters a year here for the next couple of years.”
At this year's Heli-Expo, Robinson will be displaying several rotorcraft at its booth (8743) including an R66, a Raven II, and a Cadet. In the static display, Robinson will also have an ENG-equipped R66 on display from customer Sky Helicopters.
All except the Cadet will be equipped with the new Genesys Aerosystems autopilot, which was recently certified for Robinson products. It includes an airspeed hold mode as well as a "washout" mode that will automatically maintain attitude position if the cyclic is held in that direction for several seconds.
A new standard offering this year for Robinson’s piston-powered R22 and R44 is electronic ignition. “We worked with Lycoming on that and have been testing it here for almost a year, and we’re really happy with it,” noted Robinson. The upgrade replaces the left starting magneto on the aircraft, leaving the right magneto to provide redundancy. “That’s in all aircraft, starting from the August price increase from last year, which are now going down the line.”
While a high-definition cockpit camera has been a standard feature for the past year on the R66 and an optional add-on for the R44 and R22, it will now be standard equipment on all R44s with orders placed following this year’s price increase on January 15. “Operators love having it,” Robinson explained, adding they can check on pilot performance and view the flight conditions when warning lights illuminate, helping to diagnose maintenance issues. “At first it was like 'Hey, I don’t want Big Brother watching me,' and then they get over that in a pretty short time.”
Another new option on all three of its helicopter types is a cyclic guard that can be raised if there is a passenger flying in the left seat to prevent them from inadvertently knocking the cyclic.
The company is also debuting a larger boarding step at this year’s Heli-Expo. Unlike earlier models, the new boarding step can serve occupants entering both the front and back seats of the helicopter. It will be installed on both the R44 and R66 on display at its booth and retails for $3,800 a pair.