Fri, Nov 23, 2007
Says Tape Permanently Solves R22, R44 Problem
Airwolf Aerospace LLC tells ANN the company was recently awarded
FAA STC# SR02491CH, to permanently prevent leading-edge skin
delamination from occurring on Robinson R22 and R44 helicopter main
rotor blades.
A factory Service Bulletin notes main rotor blade skins begin to
debond (separate) at the skin-to-spar bond line on the lower
surface near the blade tip. Debonding can occur when the bond line
is exposed due to excessive erosion of the blade finish, or when
corrosion occurs on the internal aluminum tip cap.
Robinson Helicopter Company has issued Service Bulletins to
inspect and address the problem using repeat-as-necessary paint
applied to the affected areas. By comparison, Airwolf tells ANN its
STC comprises a permanent, one-time application of Airwolf Rotor
Blade Protective Tape (RBPT) to the outer section of the main
rotorblades.
The one-time solution eliminates the need for blade repainting,
the company says.
"The factory 'solution' is really a band-aid, while ours is
simple and permanent," said Jonny Quest, Airwolf technical
director. "It comprises the application of a specially-formulated
adhesive polymer tape which has been time-tested by the military in
both the Gulf War and the Iraq war.
"Water, dust, sand and other contaminates can't penetrate the
tape, while the factory 'paint solution' requires repetitive
inspections and continual repainting throughout the blade life,"
Quest added. "However, the risk of a blade delamination is still
great and the replacement cost very expensive if this occurs. The
Airwolf RBPT is inexpensive insurance to prevent this from
happening."
There are over 8,000 Robinson helos on North American and
international registers.
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