Funny these posts about the 'flimsycraptors' or whatever.
When the AS350 was first introduced, I was a young mechanic and more used to the sturdy Bell 212 and 206B.
I remember looking at the AS350's Peugeot gauges, the pop-riveted control tube connections, and the post-rainstorm peeling composites. I thought, what a shoddy piece of junk.
Many years later, the AS350 has proven itself. And now, believe it or not, it is held up as the epitome of engineering excellence.
Well, the smart Aerospatiale design engineers found clever ways to reduce weight (every aerospace engineer's first task) and cost, and built a pretty darn good helicopter. Expensive, but good.
I've never flown in or worked on a Robinson, but it sounds like Frank has made a step-change in five-place turbine powered helicopter design. He reduced weight like a good engineer, built to the latest specs, and made it less costly than any other. Time will tell how it sells and performs. But 'crappyflopter' or some other silliness? C'mon.