Author: Scott Skola
Was cleaning out a few old tool boxes and ran across some ancient artifacts.
ATA 76
Rolls-Royce 250-C20 Series: With CECO (Chandler Evans) fuel controls that is. Don’t know how many old CECO systems are still flying on C20s, but for those of us who remember, here is a little trip down memory lane. It’s a DIY version, but can you recognize what this tool was used for?
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Categories:
ROTORwrench
ATA 67Airbus H135: A quick reminder was sent in on the proper hardware stack up at the tailrotor hydraulic actuator input lever and tailrotor control rod. A situation can present itself where a 2nd (extra) spacer/washer can be left on the tailrotor gearbox side of the input lever hardware stack up. Especially when the hydraulic actuator is changed and includes new hardware. The existing washer can very easily be mistaken for part of the control rod assembly. The first potential clue of the extra washer is the control tube/input lever nut and lock washer interface is a “little” off. The second hard clue is the pilot will notice his tailrotor pedals are “off” a little in normal conditions. [Submitted by PA]
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Categories:
ROTORwrench
ATA 63
Bell 407: If you’ve replaced a number of rotorbrake calipers, you know what a PITA it is to loosen/tighten the attaching hardware. Especially when things are still a little warm and you’re trying to get a head of the game. Enter the 5/16” and 7/16” ratcheting “T” wrenches shown below. And don’t forget to start the safety wire and glue the shim before installing your caliper. [Submitted by Rw]
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Categories:
ROTORwrench
ATA 63
Bell 407: Another item that used to perplex me was reinstalling the K-FLEX driveshaft. It wasn’t too bad on the earlier models, but once the aft T/R driveshaft flywheel was “incorporated” to form the new thicker rotorbrake (R/B) disc up front, it became a little tighter getting the shaft to drop in. And when Bell increased the size of the transmission drive flange it became down right impossible without a little persuasion. That was until a friend showed me the light. And I use his initials as the submitter.
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Categories:
ROTORwrench
Back before DIY was a term, most mechanics couldn’t afford Snap-On specialty tools--if any existed that could do the job--that is. So, they were known to get a little creative.
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Categories:
ROTORwrench
Couple quickies this month.
May’s tips:
ATA 62
Bell 206 series: String aligning M/R blades can be a bit tedious. One cheat to see the string better is to fabricate a couple stringing mirrors. You can use pieces from a broken mirror, or simply buy a couple small rectangular mirrors that will sit across the top of the M/R blade bolt.
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Categories:
ROTORwrench
April’s tips:
ATA 53
Airbus EC135 series: Avionics Deck vent openings in fuselage side panels. Much to a mechanic’s displeasure, this simple venting system has been the root of many electrical issues. Main problem is when water applied with force (e.g. hose while washing aircraft, etc.) at either vent grill will allow plenty of water to cover components on the avionics deck and even the master electrical boxes. One fix adopted by numerous operators is to fabricate and install a simple “hat” or deflector to the interior top section of the fiberglass vent tubes.
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Categories:
ROTORwrench
March’s tips:
ATA 52
Sikorsky S-76A: Ever had cabin/cockpit doors rattle a little or give a “door light” even though fully closed? Look at plastic part on fuselage door striker post. If worn, loosen up post and reposition plastic tube to non-worn area. If unable and no spares in stock, pick up some white plastic water line of the appropriate ID/OD at your local hardware store and replace as needed. [Submitted by Buckeye Ted]
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Categories:
ROTORwrench
This month we have two tips passed on by a couple of “old” guys. Also had a question if it mattered on model of helicopter. Nope. Any tip, on any helicopter, or engine, or component, or support item, or whatever helicopter related, will gladly be accepted for posting. From the Sikorsky R-4 to AW189. Nothing’s too old or too new. As you see below we have a tip on a Lama.
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Categories:
ROTORwrench
Well, here’s the inaugural maintenance tip posting. I’ll start with one post per month from here out
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Categories:
ROTORwrench