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Robin Miley

carllee

Sponsor
Supporting Member
Sponsor
Aircraft Year
1974
Aircraft Type
112 Hot Shot
Reg Number
N1144J
Serial Number
186
2018 marks the passing of one of Commander's greatest assets.

Robin Miley passed away Saturday October 20, 2018 at Help for Health Hospice Center in Riverton, Wyoming. During his hayday, in the late 90's and early 2000's, Commander and Robin Miley were practically synonymous, and 20 years later Robin's contribution to the fleet lives on.

Robin's greatest contribution, not just to the world of Commander, but to the entire world of single engine aircraft, was the development of the 112 Hot Shot. The 112 Hot Shot is still one of the best kept secrets in general aviation. It transformed a slow, 2 person, puddle jumper into a powerful, high altitude, cross country cruiser. Today roughly 20% of the 112 fleet are Hot Shots. Robin also approved the Hartzell 3 blade Top Prop for the entire 112 fleet, including the 112TC/TCA, and Flap Gap and Aileron Seals for the entire fleet. His early experimentation with the angle-of-attack of the horizontal stabilizer led to the eventual development of the Aerodyme Super Stream modification. He also brought awareness to the need for replacing the hollow nose gear drag brace pin, found on the early Rockwells, with the solid pin found on the later Commanders.

Beyond Robin's technical contributions, he was also a friend and adviser to many. After I bought my plane in '04 I talked to Robin nearly every week about something. Mostly about airplanes, but also, if you knew Robin - you know - guns, politics, religion – stuff we couldn't talk about on the web board. Robin was a mentor, and a confidant - but mostly a friend – I'll miss him.
 

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Re: Robin Miley

Thank you for posting, Carl.

Only spoke to Robin a few times but he always came back with solutions and leads especially during the early days where we didn't have the COG community board resource fully mobilized.
 
Re: Robin Miley

So sorry to hear of his passing. Robin was a great guy always willing to be of help.
He had been pretty scarce for some time now.
 
Re: Robin Miley

Thank you for posting. Robin was MR Commander and he was always thinking about the Commander Owners first.
I will never forget Robin judging the fleet at the McCarran Fly In. He was REAL
 
Re: Robin Miley

Robin was a one-of-a-kind and then some. He did not suffer fools gladly, but he could still be so kind and encouraging. I'll never forget my son Conor years ago at a COG Fly-In where Robin was holding court, sitting cross-legged on a table, answering questions, dispensing wisdom with a huge crowd giving him rapt attention. Toward the end of the session, Conor whispered to me, "He's like the Obi-Wan Kenobi of Commanderland."

That he was, all that and more. Godspeed Robin Miley, powered by a HotShot all the way. We will miss you.
 
Re: Robin Miley

attaching a couple fm the 100s of pics Sven sent me back in 2001 on his trip out West.

RIP, Robin!
Judi
 

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Re: Robin Miley

Sorry for your loss, Carl...and for all the Commander owners who Robin helped either directly or indirectly...RIP
 
Re: Robin Miley

Wow. Very sad but he is in a much better place than we all are. I remember the conversations Carl speaks about. He had no problem speaking his mind!

Semper Fi Brother.
 
Re: Robin Miley

Like one of Carl's pictures. He's now up there with Sven talking about the old days.

Judi
 
Re: Robin Miley

Yes, a terrible loss of one of the really Exceptional 'human be-ings' as our Native Americans say, reflecting on humanity.

I am glad Judi posted the pic of Robins Jaguar XJS V12. Robin was not just about speed in Aviation, he was also one of the first to modify his V12 for speed, eliminating some of the factory emissions added to the XJS in the 80s from the original Carburated V12s of the E type. Happy to share the tech mods he did via text or PM, but the point here is Robin and my paths crossed on the Jaglovers XJS & V12 forums and he posted a video of his driving his XJS exceeding the triple digits. Remember Montana's speed limit is something like 'Prudent for Conditions '. He was a Legend in the XJS community as well!

After many years of communication about Jaguars & Turbo Commanders,
I finally met Robin at Cape Girardeau in 07 where he (and Glenn) helped me 'get around'.He had driven to CGI
from Big Piney in his then new XK8 coupe and I squeezed in the 2+2 tear area with his dog as his bride,Ola, of course had 'Shotgun' up front. That drive alone was another confirmation of his devotion & support for COG.
Another very sad juncture but whether we fly a hot shot or not, Robin's passion has 'lifted us all to new heights'.

I should add that Carl's willingness to carry on and further enhance Robin's RCM legacy now takes on even more significance.
 
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Re: Robin Miley

Carl,

Thanks for sharing. Robin is in that category of folks that we should not forget about. The previous postings speak for themselves.
 
Re: Robin Miley

When I bought my 112A with the hot shot mod that he did, I needed some questions answered I called Robin and we talked for 45 minutes. Not only did he answered my questions, but he threw in several issues that I needed to know. Great guy, sorry I never got to meet him in person. "RIP"
 
Re: Robin Miley

When I bought my 112TC in 1999 Robin's Flap Gap and Aileron Seal kits were the first modifications I had make to my Commander.
I was sure interested in the horizontal Stab project he completed on his Commander and had tested for many years. I think he had accomplished the TRUE 8 knot AS increase.
He was one of a kind and was a great contributor to the Commander fleet development history.
Enjoyed talking to him and listing to his presentations and always learned things from him.
I am sure He is a contributor to the world he is in now.
:cool:
 
Re: Robin Miley

Thx for sharing the info Carl. So sorry to see him go. I enjoyed several of his court sessions including one we had in Big Nowhere. Will never forget seeing the floor of his hangar completely covered in IO-360 exhaust systems...

He contributed much for our benefit.
 
Re: Robin Miley

So sorry to hear this news,Robin was a great asset and friend to me,he befriended me as I was just starting at cac in Bethany and was never to busy to answer a question or two even when he was waist deep in projects.
He was always straight to the point and didn't mince words...My kind of guy
Over the years we shared hundreds of phone calls and was always quick to answer questions after a few friendly jabs..and he took as well as he gave.
Needless to say we quickly became close friends.
They broke the mold after him.
I will miss him as I know a lot of other commander drivers will
Rest in peace my friend
Fair winds and following seas!
 
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