Robinson Helicopter Company

By Ben Goldstein
For its launch application, Rotor Technologies is offering modified Robinson R44s for uncrewed aerial agricultural missions.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Tony Osborne
Renewed demand and new technology are prompting manufacturers to turn their attention to the lighter end of the rotorcraft market.
Safety, Ops & Regulation

By Ben Goldstein
Robinson Helicopter Company debuted in the index’s No. 8 slot, with a score of 7.5/10.
Advanced Air Mobility

By Ben Goldstein
One particularly promising solution to battling wildfires like those in Los Angeles is the use of aerial firefighting with uncrewed helicopters.
Advanced Air Mobility

By Graham Warwick
The FAA plans to conduct additional flight testing with eVTOL OEMs as it works to develop unified performance-based design rules for vertiports and heliports.
Advanced Air Mobility

By Graham Warwick
Skyryse has a partnership with Ace Aeronautics, a reseller of former military Black Hawks, to equip the helicopters with the SkyOS automated flight system.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Graham Warwick
The first application is the Sky One, a modified Robinson R66 light helicopter.
Multi-Mission Aircraft

By Tony Osborne
New orders are rolling in, buoyed by upticks in defense spending and increased demand from the public safety, air ambulance and energy sectors.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Graham Warwick
Suzhou-based WeFly says the agreement with Ruohang is the largest single eVTOL purchase order so far signed in China.
Advanced Air Mobility

By Graham Warwick
The helicopter company is partnering with United Therapeutics to bring hydrogen-electric propulsion to the R44 and R66.
Manufacturing & Supply Chain

By Graham Warwick
Robinson Helicopter’s tie-up with United Therapeutics to develop a hybrid-electric version of the R66 is a sign of new CEO David Smith’s drive for innovation.
Advanced Air Mobility

By Graham Warwick
The proof-of-concept aircraft uses off-the-shelf systems.
Advanced Air Mobility

By Ben Goldstein
With a maximum takeoff weight of 2,500 lb. (1,133 kg), the company describes the aircraft as the “largest civilian drone available for purchase today.”
Advanced Air Mobility

By Graham Warwick
Quantum inertial navigation; airport hydrogen handling demo; lithium-metal pack tested; and autonomous agricultural helicopter.
Emerging Technologies

By Graham Warwick
The company expects the first use cases to be aerial work.
Advanced Air Mobility

By Graham Warwick
A hydrogen fuel-cell-powered helicopter is being eyed for zero-emission delivery of manufactured organs for human transplants.
Emerging Technologies

By Tony Osborne
Robinson Helicopter has made the first corporate acquisition in its 50-year history by purchasing an uncrewed air system (UAS) developer.
Advanced Air Mobility

By Guy Norris
The company is studying hybrid-electric helicopters, continuing its electric certification drive and pushing Dash 7 conversion for NASA’s flight demonstrator.
Emerging Technologies

By Tony Osborne, Guy Norris
The rotorcraft-maker’s new president, David Smith, is already making an impact on the company.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Guy Norris
David Smith, incoming president and CEO of Robinson Helicopter, says it is on the verge of growth plans that potentially include developing new, larger models.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Tony Osborne
The leadership of legendary light rotorcraft manufacturer Robinson Helicopter Company has been handed to a family outsider for the first time.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Graham Warwick
U.S. startup Skyryse has begun taking reservations for the first production helicopter equipped with its automated flight control system.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Ben Goldstein
U.S. startup Rotor Technologies has completed what it described as the world’s first live demonstration of an autonomous helicopter.
Advanced Air Mobility

Aviation Week Staff
Hydrogen-powered eVTOL startup LuftCar has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with eFrancisco Motors (eFMC).
Advanced Air Mobility

By Graham Warwick
U.S. startup Rotor Technologies is producing the first two R550X autonomous rotorcraft, which are uncrewed modifications of the Robinson R44 light helicopter.
Aircraft & Propulsion