About Si Robin
Si's Favorite Quote:
"Are you a pilot?"
Si Robin
The Si Robin Foundation is carrying on Si’s legacy by continuing to help mold the future of aviation.
Si Robin Biography
ABOUT
As an aviation innovator, industry visionary and leader, mentor, and philanthropist, Si Robin has led the industry, advanced safety and technology, changed the lives of countless aspiring aviators and helped inspire the next generation.
Si earned dozens of patents for his pioneering work in aircraft antennas that have flown on the vast majority of the world’s aircraft. The company he helped build with his wife Betty Bazar Robin — Sensor Systems — became the premier supplier of innovative aircraft antennas to general, commercial and military aviation worldwide. Major clients included Boeing, Airbus, Cessna, Lockheed Martin, General Atomics, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Honeywell and many more.
EARLY YEARS
Si Robin attended college in Montreal, Quebec, where he was first introduced to electronics. In 1948, he relocated to California, working for Bendix Corp for ten years and then starting his own company SRA – Si Robin and Associates in Northridge California.
FLIGHT
Robin was an avid pilot, and owned many vintage aircraft. Three of his favorites were his Beechcraft Staggerwing, his Piper Lance and J-3 Cub. He famously flew his Cub in the classic aviation film One Six Right, for which he helped to fund.
For many years, Si flew regularly with a group of legendary pilots, such as Clay Lacy, Bob Hoover and Joe Clark to name a few. One notable flight Si participated in was the Around-the-World flight Friendship One in a Boeing 747SP, piloted by Clay Lacy, a flight that raised over half a million dollars for children’s charities. Si remains great friends with Clay to this day.
RACING DAYS
In addition to his flying exploits, Si raced Porches in the 1950’s & 1960’s at the historic Willow Springs raceway earning many trophies along the way. Then again in the 1980’s thru 2015, winning championships in 2002 and 2004 (at 75 years of age).
AWARDS
- Living Legends of Aviation – 2009, his lifelong accomplishments in aircraft antenna design and development.
- Inducted into the International Air & Space Hall of Fame at the San Diego Air & Space Museum in 2010.
- Honorary doctorate degree by the University of North Dakota (UND) in 2018. The honorary degree recognized their extensive contributions and philanthropy towards the UND Aerospace Foundation and the construction of Robin Hall, a facility dedicated to unmanned aircraft systems research.
- Condor Squadron Honor Award – 2025 from the Condor Squadron.
- Spirit of Aviation Award – 2024 The Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum honoring his personal, professional, and global impact and unwavering support of the Museum.
- Angel Flight West Inspiration Award – 2020
FUTURE
And today, the Si Robin Foundation is carrying on Si’s legacy by continuing to help mold the future of aviation.
UND AWARDS SI & BETTY ROBIN
HONORARY DEGREES
SAN DIEGO AIR & SPACE MUSEUM
INDUCTS SI INTO ITS HALL OF FAME
PEARL HARBOR AVIATION MUSEUM
SPIRIT OF AVIATION AWARD
The University of North Dakota awarded Si And Betty Robin with honorary doctoral degrees during UND’s 2018 Spring Undergraduate Commencement.
Hall of Fame Inductee 2010
Spirit of Aviation Recepient 2024
Living Legends Inductee 2009.
Inspiration Award Recipient in 2020