Well, Gentlemen, they say "ignorance is bliss"
I have been in engineering, all my life, on and off. I have also had an interest in Aviation all my life. I think I know enough to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the Robinson Machines.
They are cheap for a reason! safety has been traded for the bottom line....so much so, that someone with a conscience has decided stuff like bladders and blade changes should be mandatory......If the machines weren't certified, the putative pilot would be much more wary (think Rotorway!)
there are very real limitations in the 2-blade, teetering-head rotor system but the alternatives are hugely more expensive.
IF you are a commercial user, technically and mechanically astute and a good pilot, certainly, the Robbo makes good financial sense if the hours run and the calendar keep pace with each other.
The vast majority of private owners buy a cheap machine and calendar and deterioration hit their wallet disproportionately.
Mr. Hughes is not the average private owner! Robbo works for him and he's confident that his skill-level mitigates the much higher mechanical and envelope risks compared with a more elaborately main-rotor- equipped machine.
I know one member of this Forum, sold a 3-seat Enstrom in which he'd enjoyed many safe flights, and bought a very tidy, pretty R44....he lost control at very low level when a few weeks into it's ownership.
luckily, a neighbour,1/2 a mile away, saw the accident. our man was dragged clear and as far as I know, there was no fire!....he is relatively mobile nowadays and no longer needs a wheelchair....I also don't think a replacement Robbo appeared on his shopping list.
you don't need to ride a Hooker to know she's extremely risky
