Ive owned 14 Robbys both R22 and R44 and its just been pointed out to me that I don't actually own any of them at all. I get the use of them for 2,200 hours or twelve years. I can sell or buy a new or used one in that time but come what may at the end of the "hire" time back it goes, and Frank gets to charge what he likes before I can get it back. Get it rebuilt somewhere else ? Well the factory pricing of spares and exchange is remarkable. The total cost of the parts is so close to having the factory do the work that it is only the freight advantage from Australia that means it is (just) better to do it here.
Don't get me wrong I love the machine have great faith in it and have had a full career in helicopters only because of Franks talent. But i think he needs more than awards for helicopter design, his marketing and financial cunning are unmatched by any other field i can think of
