Robinson, who’d previously worked for Cessna (on their CH-1 Skyhook), Bell Helicopter (working on the Bell 206) and Hughes Helicopters (on the MD500). One of the people who’d hear this was aircraft engineer, Frank D. As such, they began to look for a replacement… Development Yet, by the early 1970’s, the aging rather fuel-inefficient Bell 47 was becoming too expensive for many civil operators to continue to operate. Owing to this, Bell would receive literally thousands of civilian (as well as military) orders for the helicopter.Īmong the roles the Bell 47 was used in by civilian operators was as a VIP transport, crop duster, basic trainer, news helicopter and film prop (among others). To that end, Bell Helicopters were able to get their Bell 47 helicopter certified for civilian use on March 8 1946. Whilst military contracts for these helicopters were lucrative, there was significant demand for civilian variants of most utility and light observation helicopters, particularly for corporate and VIP transport use. There was only one problem, however: They were all used exclusively by the world’s militaries.
Over the next few years, several more helicopters would enter service.
With the financial backing of Vought Aircraft, Sikorsky would build and fly the S-46 (now called the VS-300) for the first time on May 13 1940.Īlthough Sikorsky was the first to build and fly a modern helicopter, he was by no means the only one. Russian-American engineer, Igor Sikorsky, would begin development of what he called the Sikorsky S-46 in 1938. Yet, both of these helicopters can trace their origins back to another helicopter: The Robinson R22.ĭespite having been introduced in 1979, and the company having developed two newer helicopters, Robinson continues to produce the R22 today, with nearly 5,000 having been produced since 1979! Pre-Robinson R22 Today, Robinson Helicopter Company are known for producing some of the best helicopters currently around, including the R44 and R66.
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