Van Horn Aviation | Composite Rotor Blades

FAA Approves VHA Inspection Extension on -101 206B Mains

Van Horn Aviation recently received FAA approval to extend the service life of the grip plates on the original 206B main rotor blades (Part No. 20631000-101) from 2,800 hours to 4,800 hours. This change results in a corresponding extension in the time between required grip plate/hardware replacements, which is now 4,800 hours. The service life of the blade assembly itself remains at 18,000 hours.

Instructions for Continued Airworthiness manual number VMM-MR-206B-501 Rev. G contains the updated grip plate limitation information. In addition, Rev. G also removed the requirement to change bushings at the 4,800-hour interval and changed the 1,400-hour tap test requirement to 1,200 +/- 200 hours. Note that these changes do not apply to Part No. 20635000-501, which still requires the removal, inspection and re-installation of the grip plates at 2,400 hour intervals.

Rev. G also marks the first ICA making trim tabs optional and providing instructions for installing tracking wedges. Section 62.4 of the ICA has been updated with new dynamic tracking information covering the use of tracking wedges and incorporating customer feedback.

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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.