By Rebecca Rayko

LAS VEGAS, Nevada - Be careful what you wish for may be something Robinson Helicopters president Frank Robinson is saying to himself these days.

Ever since the company introduced a new hydraulic power controls system for the R44 last September, Robinson can't produce the models fast enough.

Just two weeks into this year, Robinson has already received 120 orders for new R44s - that's 80% of last year's order total. As it stands, production is now sold through July 2000.

Most manufacturers would gladly take this sort of "problem," but Robinson says he doesn't like to keep his customers waiting long for his helicopters.

"This is very unusual for us because we try to synchronize orders with production," Robinson says.

Unlike commercial airplane makers who sell products years before delivery, Robinson says, "We try to keep our backlog to about eight weeks because enthusiasm dampens very quickly when customers are told they have to wait."

Robinson delivered 278 new helicopters in 1999 - 150 of the four-seat R44s, making it the top selling helicopter in the world, and 128 two-seat R22s, the second best selling helicopter.

About 55% of Robinson helicopters were delivered to customers outside the United States, with deliveries in the United Kingdom setting the pace.

And 2000 is expected to be even better in terms of sales and deliveries. "We're gearing up for a record year," says Robinson.

As would be expected, the company is increasing production rates for the R44 to five per week this year, while maintaining the R22 at three a week.

With all the success for the R22 and R44, Robinson was asked if any additions to the product line were in the offing.

"You mean an R66?" he laughed. "I keep looking for that void in the market," similar to the ones he filled with the R22 and R44, Robinson said.

"I've not been so lucky with the 'R66'", he said. "But when we find it, we'll build it."