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Members of Alpha Aviation Co.,Ltd. Robinson Helicopter Company, and the Federal Aviation Administration celebrate the R22 and R44 Japanese Type Certificate

Left to Right: Mitsuo Aoyama, Alpha Aviation; Michael Ashara, FAA; Oji Sagisaka, Alpha Aviation; Shizuka Saito, President, Alpha Aviation; Frank Robinson, President, Robinson Helicopter Company; Pete Riedl, RHC; Kenji Saito, Alpha Aviation; James Wang, FAA; and Steve Turnour, RHC.

Left to Right: Steve Turnour, Engineer, RHC; Pete Riedl, VP Engineering, RHC; Oji Sagisaka, Alpha Aviation; Frank Robinson, President, RHC; Mr.Daiki, JCAB; Mr.Yoshida, JCAB; James Wang,FAA.

Alpha Aviation Co.,Ltd. President Shizuka Saito presents Robinson Helicopter Company President Frank Robinson with the Japanese Type Certificate as Mitsuo Aoyama (left) and Kenji Saito look on. 

Robinson Helicopter Company Receives Japanese Certification 　　　

November 18,2002 For Immediate Release

 Torrance,CA ‐ Alpha Aviation Co.,Ltd.President Shizuka Saito presented Robinson Helicopter Company President Frank Robinson today with the Japanese Type Certificate for the Robinson R22 and R44 helicopters.Robinson Helicopter Company is the first U.S.helicopter manufacturer to receive Japanese type certification. Alpha Aviation in Japan,a Robinson dealer,began the certification process in 1999. Robinson Engineer VP Pete Riedl and James Wang of the FAA visited Japan as a part of the process.The Lycoming engines used in all Robinson helicopters were approved in July 2001. Airframe certification this month completes the process. JCAB members Kazushige Daiki and Masao Yoshida spent five days at Robinson Helicopter Company in mid-March 2002 completing the type certificate technical review,which included analyzing design and production quality control.Federal Aviation Administration personnel and Robinson engineers participated in the review. Saito is enthusiastic about future Robinson sales now that the type certificate is issued. “Robinson helicopters will be more popular in Japan with a type certificate because they will be easier to import,” she says..Additionally,the certificate will reduce the paperwork requirements for helicopter owners and operators in Japan.More than 100 Robinson helicopters are currently registered in Japan. In addition to reducing workload on the importer,a type certificate will also shorten delivery time for Japanese customers.Without a type certificate,it can take up to three months to have a newly imported helicopter inspected and approved before the buyer can take possession,and can cost up to $426 USD.Now inspections take place in less than a month and cost $32 USD.Joining Saito from Alpha Aviation to present the type certificate were Oji Sagisaka,Kenji Saito,and Mitsuo Aoyama.