I'm writing in response to "Robinson studies family addition" (Flight International, 7-13 October). This is a very poorly written piece which is full of serious misquotes and incorrect information.
A reporter should never quote someone unless the quote is written exactly as it was stated and is quoted in context. Your reporter Justin Wastnage misquoted me several times. First, he quoted me as saying Robinson was working on a six-place helicopter. I have never said this. I have never considered a six-place helicopter because it would not be practical to have two seats in front with four seats in a row behind. I have considered five-place and seven-place configurations, but never six.
Second, Wastnage quotes me directly as saying: "Pistons get too hot at that power and turbines are too heavy." Not only did I not make such a statement, but it would be a very stupid thing for any helicopter engineer to say. The temperature of a piston engine depends on its cooling system and turbine engines are much, much lighter than piston engines. They just burn too much fuel and are too expensive.
Frank Robinson
President, Robinson Helicopter
Torrance, California, USA
Source: Flight International