The Southern California Aeronautic
Association (SCAA) has added Frank Robinson to the distinguished
ranks of major aerospace leaders to receive its renowned Howard
Hughes Memorial Award (HHMA).
Robinson was selected for his “significant contributions
to the advancement of aviation or space technology.”
Robinson, sometimes referred to as “the Henry Ford of
helicopters,” is the 26th Howard Hughes Memorial Award
recipient. He received his HHMA medallion from 2001 Award
Recipient, Sam Iacobellis, during a gala reception and dinner at
the exclusive Jonathan Club in Los Angeles. Last year’s
winner, Neil Armstrong, expressed congratulations calling
Robinson “an accomplished engineer” and “an
exceptional entrepreneur, building a company from nothing to a
position of preeminence in its field.”
Past HHMA recipients - a veritable "Hall of Fame" of industry
achievers - include many familiar names such as Jack Northrop,
Jimmy Doolittle, Kelly Johnson, Chuck Yeager, Barry Goldwater Sr,
Pete Conrad, Jack Real, Sam Iacobellis, and Neil Armstrong.
Robinson began his helicopter career in 1957 working on
Cessna’s CH-1 Skyhook helicopter and worked at several other
rotorcraft firms including McCulloch, Kaman, Bell, and Hughes
Helicopter. In 1973, unable to interest any of his employers in his
concept for a small, low-cost helicopter, Robinson resigned from
Hughes Helicopters and founded Robinson Helicopter Company. From a
modest beginning in his garage, Robinson’s
company now produces more commercial helicopters than any other
manufacturer. His two-seat R22 helicopter was certified in 1979 and
holds most of the world records in its weight class including speed
and altitude. The four-place R44, introduced in 1993, has become
even more popular than the R22 and is available in a variety of
utitility configurations including a Newscopter model for radio and
television stations, a police helicopter for law enforcement
agencies, and a float-equipped model for the fishing industry.
Nearly 6,000 Robinson helicopters have been delivered in more than
70 countries worldwide.
The solid silver HHMA medallion is cast from silver mined in
Hughes' Nevada mines and depicts Hughes from the era when he was
setting world speed records and flying his famed Flying Boat. The
medallion was designed and executed by sculptor Joseph Princiottai.
Nissen Davis, SCAA’s newly elected president, was pleased
that “Robinson, who once worked for Hughes Helicopter
Company, is the honoree for 2005, the 100th anniversary of Howard
Hughes’ birth.” The Hughes award originated in 1981
when the SCAA acquired the Hughes Flying Boat, known as the
“Spruce Goose.”