29 August 2025
Robinson Helicopter Company, manufacturer of a range of civil helicopters that includes the R22 two-seater, R44 four-seater, R66 Turbine and now the R88, is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first flight of its first aircraft.
Robinson Helicopter started with the R22, a two-seat light utility personal helicopter that first flew in 1975 and received FAA certification in 1979.
The Robinson R22 became the cornerstone of helicopter flight training worldwide, with nearly 5,000 sold since 1973. Its simple mechanics are said to build and strengthen basic piloting skills.
“The R22 is so effective at training that it’s often said, ‘If you can fly an R22, you can fly anything,’” said Robinson.
Founded in 1973 by former Cessna engineer Frank Robinson, Robinson Helicopter was born from a mission to design and build a safe, reliable, and affordable helicopter. Before the R22, helicopters were mostly confined to military use, para-public organisations and large corporations.
The R22 changed that narrative, opening up new opportunities for flight training, agricultural use, and more.
“I guess the dream was to design and develop a light helicopter that could be used by a very large segment of the population.
I believe that eventually, man will travel in the fastest way possible from one point to another point. And that of course would be in a straight line.… pic.twitter.com/zlSZbnl2Jq
— Robinson Helicopter Company (@Robinson_Heli) August 27, 2025
“The R22 was Frank Robinson’s dream to make rotary-wing flight accessible for the average person,” said David Smith, president and CEO of Robinson Helicopter Company.
“Fifty years ago, the R22 didn’t just take its first flight, it created a legacy that has empowered generations of pilots and operators around the world, and we continue to honor its lasting impact and the role it plays in the global helicopter community.”
