Van Horn Aviation | Composite Rotor Blades

Touching Up Paint on VHA Rotor Blades

Keeping your composite rotor blades painted is crucial to protect carbon fibers from ultraviolet (UV) rays and other sources of damage. Missing or peeling paint can also cause a slight imbalance of the rotor blade, which should be corrected through rebalancing the blade.

Scratches in the paint may reveal grey surfacing film that resides on top of the carbon fiber. Seeing grey is a good sign that the black carbon skin underneath was protected from whatever scratched through the paint. Conduct a tap test around the area to confirm that no damage occurred to the skin. If the tap test is good, proceed with touching up the paint.

These scratches in the paint reveal the grey surfacing film underneath. Seeing grey is good. If scratches are deep enough to reveal black carbon fiber, contact VHA for assistance.

Minor paint cracks can be lightly sanded and touched up. Remove the blade and sand with 320 grit or finer sandpaper. Be careful to remove only the clear coat and paint; do NOT sand into the carbon fiber.

Currently VHA uses DuPont Imron Elite SS Single Stage Color. White paint is DuPont color 786255. Black is DuPont color 99. However, any aerospace quality polyurethane paint may be used. In the past VHA has also used Sherwin Williams aerospace system and PPG products.

For touch-ups, 2-part aerosol spray paint may be used. Matterhorn White 840-103 and Gloss Black Y01955 are recommended.

Cracks or scratches in the paint that reveal broken black carbon fibers indicate substrate damage that must be repaired prior to repainting. Contact VHA for further information and assistance.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

SHARE THIS POST:

AD Compliance Reminder for Certain 206L MRB Operators

By Kim VHA • April 25, 2025

For 206L LongRanger operators flying P/N 20633000-101 serial numbers A007-A009 or A012-A104, we would like to remind you that these blades are subject to AD 2022-22-08, which requires recurring tap inspections every 400 flight hours or 2,400 engine starts, whichever comes first. You can learn more about the tap test requirements and procedure in our video . These blades are likely to develop a delamination in the area of the weight pocket on the lower surface of the blade. The AD further requires removing the blades from service if the delamination reaches 6 inches in length. However, extensive company testing indicates that all blades will likely achieve their full retirement life before that occurs. So long as the delamination is monitored and does not exceed the permitted length, the blades are entirely safe to fly with no adverse effects on aircraft behavior or performance. Operators are required to report their findings at every inspection interval to VHA for tracking using the form on the last page of Service Bulletin 33000-4 . Completed forms should be emailed to info@vanhornaviation.com . Providing this data helps to ensure all operators of these blades remain safe. All of the identified blades are likely to have delaminations, so if none are detected please contact us for assistance. In addition, this AD is considered an interim action and once sufficient data is gathered it may be updated to reduce the required frequency of inspection. Refer to AD 2022-22-08 and SB 33000-4 for further information.