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Mar
25
2016
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Posted 8 years 27 days ago ago by Scott Skola
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Well, I hope everyone who went, survived the showy…snowy…Heli-Expo this year. Then again, there’s not much “survival” required anymore. Seemed to be a lot of hoopla over this year’s location in Louisville. No dancing girls like Vegas, sunny beaches like Orlando, or big city delights like Dallas or Houston. For me, I never went for the location. All night parties and a ton of freebies made the day go by. Navigating the CCR show at Big B’s shindig, hacking invitations at the bus pick-up, and staying vertical the day after on the exhibit floor…now those were the survival skills of Expos past. Ha!
On a side note: if you ever find yourself in need of an Ejection Seat Training Program, the FAA has your back with the new AC 91-87.
And here we go….
TIPS and TRICKS
ATA 71
Multiple Models
Here’s a work aid to help troubleshoot a customer bleed air system. Different manufacturers have their own nomenclatures, but this is the system that takes engine bleed air and routes it for cabin heating, cooling turbines, particle separators, and the like.
On occasion, the problem only manifests itself when the aircraft is running. One way to check this without running an engine is to apply shop air to the aircraft bleed air system. Below is a picture of a setup used on 212/412, BO105, 222/230, or any aircraft with a “209-” bleed air deck valve. It consists of AN919, AN894, and standard air fittings assembled with a pressure rated rubber hose. You can use any type of fitting/hose combination to connect a specific aircraft/system.
Connect work aid to bleed air hose/tube at engine. Plug work aid into an adjustable pressure regulator and then plug regulator into an air compressor. Adjust the regulator to the required bleed air system pressure and troubleshoot away. [Submitted by Rw]
MISC INFO
A couple more FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletins (SAIB).
This one is about maintenance practices around attitude and direction data systems. It may not be directly applicable with some helicopter models, but is for others, and I’m sure for most in the future.
http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgSAIB.nsf/(LookupSAIBs)/CE-15-01?OpenDocument
And the second is on AS350/355 air scoop drains.
http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgSAIB.nsf/(LookupSAIBs)/SW-15-04?OpenDocument
SUBMITTING MAINTENANCE TIPS/TRICKS/QUESTIONS/INFO:
Have an old tip or trick you’d like to share with your fellow mechanics? Or maybe a question that you can’t seem to find an answer to? Or just some info to pass on? Send an email to [email protected]
About the author: After 32 years maintaining helicopters in various capacities, Scott concluded a full time career with a major operator in 2014. When not pursuing future writing projects, he can still be seen around the flight line tinkering on aircraft for beer money. He can be contacted at [email protected]
*And to keep the hounds at bay, the information contained in this blog is for discussion purposes only.*