View Full Version : R44 EASA AD Bladder Tanks
Keepitup
20th Mar 2014, 08:27
Good Morning All,
Well its here, EASA have raised an AD to replace the tanks with the bladder types by April 2016.
Regards
Keepitup
EASA Airworthiness Directives Publishing Tool (http://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/2014-0070)
air-bender
20th Mar 2014, 13:47
So, when is EASA going to mandate bladder tanks in AS-350 and EC-120/130 series???
Cos everyone knows plastic is a great shock absorber!!!
Efirmovich
20th Mar 2014, 18:14
The EC120 and 130 have bladder tanks as standard !
E.
hillberg
20th Mar 2014, 19:04
130 ?? BLADDERS MY BUTT.Tell that to the Seattle news crew.
Gemini Twin
20th Mar 2014, 19:37
hillberg, the Seattle news crew where in a AS350!
hillberg
20th Mar 2014, 20:43
OPPS , brain fert.:*
John R81
20th Mar 2014, 21:46
My R44 is already converted and my 120 was built with a bladder tank.
Sorted
err don't need to worry about crashing then John, sorted :confused:
is the AS350 tank different from the AS350B4 (aka EC130) tank?
John R81
21st Mar 2014, 17:32
Exactly - crash with confidence, I say:ok:
John - good policy!
Along with 'crash flat' and 'fly all the way through the accident' (Bob Hoover?)
Hairyplane
23rd Mar 2014, 10:53
There have been previous posts on this subject on the main Robinson thread.
I wouldn't fly a non-modded R44, let alone take an unsuspecting passenger in one.
Mine was one of the first to be retrofitted. What price peace of mind? Its a no-brainer. Get it done.
HP
MartinCh
24th Mar 2014, 05:37
Ridiculous compliance dates/plans.
Part 135 ops in US/FAA land are meant to have them, Part 91 has had some leeways (not current info/keeping track of any changes, but most R44 ops in US would be P91), CASA Australia mandated WHOLE VH-reg/Aus airspace fleet R44 to have the bladder tanks by start of April last year (2013).
EASA and the 'S' within, my backside. Yes, at least most European countries don't have so high temps like summer in Australia, the sealing of rotorbrake switch in that SB likely has helped improving safety, but not enough.
On one hand, EASA paper pushers troubling RHC with the R66 hydraulic system's NRV and delaying/denying certification for EASA countries rego, quoting CS standards (I looked it up and relevant size/category CS is complied with as I see it, already), despite similarities with R44 and manual only controllability in case of failure (maybe not gentle ladies with no bicep bulk for collective though), RHC stats and reports with data etc, YET the real killer proved deadly when flipping/rolling Raven from hover or hard landing it, goes such long time without mitigating a la CASA in 2013, by decisive action, as the certification was granted blah blah. :ugh::ugh: