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Tech Brief from 2023 Heli-Expo
Tech Brief Concentrates on Tracking Wedges and Technical Updates
Van Horn Aviation personnel presented a Manufacturer’s Tech Brief on installation and repair procedures of composite rotor blades at HAI Heli-Expo 2023 on Tuesday, March 7 at 2 pm. Approximately 30 technicians and other company representatives attended the tech brief. A copy of the VHA tech brief presentation can be downloaded here.
VHA Operations Manager Austin Schneider began the presentation with a brief company overview and introduced the presenters.
Terry Tyner, chief inspector of VHA's repair station, discussed various inspection and repair topics including:
- Damage tolerances on composite materials
- How to remove trim tabs in accordance with Service Bulletin SB33000-3R3
- Published VHA service bulletin and ICA updates
VHA engineer Dan Belber explained best practices for installing main and tail rotor blades including:
- Recommendations for best chance of smooth track and balance procedure
- Tracking wedge installation and removal
- Polar charts for both tracking wedges and trim tabs
- Hub Alignment using String Method
The VHA session was approved for IA renewal credit. VHA customers are encouraged to email suggested topics for next year’s tech brief.
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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.
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