At the Verticon 2026 convention, Precision Aircraft Services and Frank Hinds were honored by Robinson Helicopter Company with the Longevity Award, recognizing our organization as the longest-serving Robinson Helicopter Service Center.

The recognition was meaningful not simply because of the number of years involved, but because of what it represents.

During the presentation, Robinson Helicopter Company emphasized something that many people in aviation already understand well: manufacturers cannot support the fleet alone. Aircraft operate all over the world, and the long-term reliability of those aircraft depends on the network of experienced service centers that maintain, inspect, and support them every day.

Robinson noted that their success over the years has depended heavily on that network of dedicated service centers. These are the technicians and companies that interact directly with owners and operators, help troubleshoot issues in the field, and ensure that aircraft continue operating safely and reliably.

Precision Aircraft Services has been part of that network since 1982.

Robinson also recognized the family nature of our company. Precision Aircraft Services has always been a family business, operated by Frank Hinds along with his wife Chris and their son Scott. Like many aviation maintenance businesses across the country, the company has grown through long hours, dedication to customers, a deep respect for the aircraft we work on, and the enjoyment of being part of the aviation community.

In the early years, Frank occasionally spoke with Robinson Helicopter Company founder Frank Robinson. From time to time they discussed maintenance considerations or ideas from technicians working on the helicopters in the field. When those ideas made sense, they sometimes resulted in small improvements that made the aircraft easier to maintain. Some of those changes can still be seen on the R22 today.

Robinson Helicopter Company was always willing to listen to feedback from its service center network. Service centers are where many owners interact with the company through routine maintenance and inspections, so feedback from the field often provided valuable insight. Over the years, various ideas were tested. Some worked well, while others did not, but Robinson’s willingness to respond quickly and adjust policies when needed showed how closely the company worked with its support network.

That willingness to listen to the people who work on the aircraft every day has always been one of the strengths of Robinson Helicopter Company.

Receiving the Longevity Award at Verticon was a special moment for our company, but it also served as a reminder of something larger. Aircraft manufacturers, service centers, and operators all rely on one another. The continued success of any aircraft fleet depends on that cooperation.

Looking back, we have been proud to be associated with Robinson Helicopter Company over the years. While the relationship has certainly helped bring customers to our door, the greater value has been the people we have come to know along the way.

We have had the opportunity to work with many great people at Robinson such as Frank, Kurt, Butch, Pat, Daniel, Sandra, Ann, Efron, and Enrique, to name a few. Through that connection we have also had the pleasure of meeting many Robinson owners, many of whom have become long-time customers and close friends. In addition, we have built relationships with other Robinson dealerships and service centers across the network, and it has always been a pleasure working together when the need arises.

Precision Aircraft Services is proud to have been part of the Robinson support network for many years, and we remain committed to continuing that work for many years to come.