Author: Scott Skola
A follow up to last month’s blog tidbit on the Airbus 225 accident in Norway. Ran across an interesting article detailing the inner workings of the Super Puma main transmission and how it relates to the failure of the Norway aircraft.
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Categories:
ROTORwrench
An interesting development in the investigation of the EC225 that lost its M/R in flight last year.
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Categories:
ROTORwrench
Helicopter Maintenance Blog*
April 2017
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Categories:
ROTORwrench
Looks like 2017 is the year of legacy retirements. Last month the Indian Army elected to retire their fleet of HAL built Lamas and Alouette IIIs. Now it hits closer to home.
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Categories:
ROTORwrench
How convenient. Just as we start a year of Lama tips, one of the largest operators of SA315B and SA.316B type aircraft decides to retire their entire fleet. The Indian Army cited recent flight incidents and safety concerns as the reasons for grounding their fleet of approximately 44 aircraft.
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ROTORwrench
As I mentioned last month, we will be focusing on SA315B Lama tips and tricks. But first, a note from our sponsor: the Lama is technically an Alouette III. Believe it or not!
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ROTORwrench
One of the reasons that drove me to start this blog was to build a database of obscure and unique maintenance tips before some of us croaked, or simply forgot them. In turn, once the level of data exceeds a certain point, I will create either an open-source data portal, or a small EBook: free to anyone who wishes to learn.
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Categories:
ROTORwrench
One of the headaches during an engine installation is connecting the input drive shaft and rotorbrake disc/calipers on the engine side. This tip allows you to install and safety these components prior to engine installation.
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Categories:
ROTORwrench
Battery powered helicopter*
Who would have thought?
For those who didn’t read about it, a company in California replaced the conventional powerplant on an R44 with lithium batteries and two electric motors.
And flew it for 5 minutes.
I wonder if my A&P certificate covers the maintenance on it. Or, maybe I will need to get an endorsement and have an AP&B certificate.
With all these electronic gizmos on the horizon, we’ll have to add reciprocating engines, hydro-mechanical systems, and pilots to the “back-in the-good-old-days” list along with dope & fabric, wooden M/R blades, and Loran C.
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Categories:
ROTORwrench
Looks like the FAA regulation of the drone industry is ramping up. The new FAR Part 107 went live the end of August, and the new Drone Advisory Committee will hold its first meeting September 16th.
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Categories:
ROTORwrench