June 2023 marks 50 years in business for Robinson Helicopter Company. Founded by Frank Robinson on 20 June 1973, his goal was to design and manufacture simple, reliable helicopters, as efficiently as possible, without compromising quality. .

Robinson’s simple 2-place R-22 (FAA certified in 1979) marked the beginning of a new generation of helicopters. The simple affordable aircraft made flight training and private helicopter ownership possible. The industry responded enthusiastically and by 1988, the R-22 became the world’s top-selling civilian helicopter.

 In the ‘90s, after the R-22’s remarkable success, and realizing the potential for a light mid-size helicopter, Robinson introduced the 4-place R-44. Orders for this model quickly piled-up and the company became a recognized player in the aviation industry. In 2010, Robinson once again expanded its line with the 5-place, turbine powered R-66. This was designed using the same template as the R-22 and R-44 but offers increased capacity, improved high-altitude performance and runs on readily available jet fuel. In 2021, sales of the R-66 surpassed those of the popular R44 Raven II; now its fleet of 13000+ helicopters operating worldwide.

February 10, 2023, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) Aviation Unit took delivery of its third R-66 Police Helicopter, replacing its aging MD-500 fleet. The Aviation Unit’s fleet now consists of three R-66 Police Helicopters and one Cessna 182T. One of the unit’s R-66 Police helicopters will be on display at "HAI Heli Expo", Atlanta, March 6-9. In October and December 2022, RHC delivered two new R-66 Police Helicopters to Helisul Aviation, the largest operator of single-engine helicopters in Latin America. These aircraft will be used to support the Brazilian Paraná State Police. HeliSul has since placed two more orders for the same model, which are slotted for delivery this Summer.