The Robinson R22 being prepared for display at Longreach’s Stockman’s Hall of Fame

Australian Robinson helicopter distributor Heliflite is donating a refurbished R22 to the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame & Outback Heritage Centre in Longreach,  in recognition of the iconic role the two-seater workhorse aircraft has played in changing the face of the rural and mustering landscape.

From its humble beginnings with its design and development from Frank Robinson’s own home to its eventual certification in 1979 the R22 has become the most common model of rotary-wing aircraft used for aerial stock mustering. Currently there are 651 R22s registered in Australia with almost 5000 R22s having been produced worldwide.

The still very much contemporary R22 will be displayed against the proud and traditional heritage of the Australian stockman industry and is sure to attract significant interest from locals and returning tourists to Longreach.

“We thank Heliflite for the donation to the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame. For many years this iconic aircraft has been an essential tool for the men and women working the land,” Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame chief executive Lloyd Mills said.

Heliflite’s founder and managing director Lyndsay Edmonds described the contribution of the R22 to the Stockman’s Hall of Fame as an honour and privilege for the company to play a role in the support of the museum and the people of the outback.

The R22 to be displayed in Longreach has been refurbished by the Heliflite WA team and painted in the original scheme of Heliflite’s first imported R22 from 1980. The aircraft will be road freighted from Jandakot Airport to the Stockman’s Hall of Fame early this year.

• The Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre is Australia’s premier outback heritage institution. Since its opening in 1988 as part of Australia’s bicentennial celebrations, the Hall of Fame has played host to over one million interstate and international visitors. The Hall of Fame displays the history behind some of Australia’s most courageous explorers, stock workers and pastoralists.