Van Horn Aviation | Composite Rotor Blades
Van Horn Aviation | Composite Rotor Blades

News, Tips & Info

VHA News, Tips & Info

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VHA News, Tips & Info

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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.
Photo of AS350 tech brief being presented at Verticon 2025
By Kim VHA April 16, 2025
AS350 Tail and Manufacturer Tech Briefs Given at Verticon 2025 Posted Here
By Kim VHA March 6, 2025
Eurosafety Pilot Kevin Nelson
By Kim VHA February 23, 2025
Four Years of Research, Redesign, Flight Testing and Certification Effort Yields Great Results!
By Kim VHA February 23, 2025
VHA's JetRanger Available March 9-10 for Demo Flights at VERTICON in Dallas
By Kim VHA August 30, 2024
Despite inflationary increases in raw materials and supplies, VHA vows to help operators manage costs
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Photo of AS350 tech brief being presented at Verticon 2025
By Kim VHA April 16, 2025
AS350 Tail and Manufacturer Tech Briefs Given at Verticon 2025 Posted Here
By Kim VHA March 6, 2025
Eurosafety Pilot Kevin Nelson
By Kim VHA February 23, 2025
Four Years of Research, Redesign, Flight Testing and Certification Effort Yields Great Results!
By Kim VHA February 23, 2025
VHA's JetRanger Available March 9-10 for Demo Flights at VERTICON in Dallas
By Kim VHA August 30, 2024
Despite inflationary increases in raw materials and supplies, VHA vows to help operators manage costs

NEWS

Photo of AS350 tech brief being presented at Verticon 2025
By Kim VHA April 16, 2025
AS350 Tail and Manufacturer Tech Briefs Given at Verticon 2025 Posted Here
By Kim VHA February 23, 2025
Four Years of Research, Redesign, Flight Testing and Certification Effort Yields Great Results!
By Kim VHA February 23, 2025
VHA's JetRanger Available March 9-10 for Demo Flights at VERTICON in Dallas
SHOW MORE

SERVICE

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.
Photo of AS350 tech brief being presented at Verticon 2025
By Kim VHA April 16, 2025
AS350 Tail and Manufacturer Tech Briefs Given at Verticon 2025 Posted Here
VHA employees use drill press to swage 206 tail rotor blade bearings.
By VHA January 2, 2024
Van Horn Aviation provides two resources for authorized repair personnel who replace bearings in VHA 206 series tail rotor blades. These include Technical Bulletin TB 2062200-1 and a How-To video.
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TIPS & TRAINING

VHA employees use drill press to swage 206 tail rotor blade bearings.
By VHA January 2, 2024
Van Horn Aviation provides two resources for authorized repair personnel who replace bearings in VHA 206 series tail rotor blades. These include Technical Bulletin TB 2062200-1 and a How-To video.
VHA personnel present tech brief at Heli-Expo 2023
By VHA March 20, 2023
VHA personnel presented a Manufacturer’s Tech Brief on installation and repair procedures of composite rotor blades at HAI Heli-Expo 2023. Approximately 30 technicians and other company representatives attended the briefing, the slides of which can be downloaded from the VHA website.
By VHA October 27, 2022
VHA recently published Technical Bulletin 20630000-2R1 titled “206 Main Rotor Blade Track and Balance Guidance.” This tech bulletin contains track and balance best practices and polar charts applicable to all VHA 206 main rotor blades, . . . Keep Reading
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CUSTOMER SPOTLIGHT

By Kim VHA March 6, 2025
Eurosafety Pilot Kevin Nelson
By VHA June 7, 2022
Bend, Oregon—ranked among the top ten places to live in the United States—is an outdoors paradise and home to Leading Edge Flight Academy (LEFA) and Leading Edge Aviation. This Pacific Northwest city enjoys more than . . . Keep Reading
By VHA March 31, 2022
Based in Indiana, American Huey 369 Organization is committed to preserving and educating the public to the history of the iconic UH-1 “Huey” helicopter and its Veterans, especially the Vietnam War era Veterans. Co-Founders and . . . Keep Reading
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