EC225
Join Date: Aug 2003
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From today's Aviation International News email
EASA OKs Redesigned Airbus Helicopters EC225 Shaft
The EASA has certified the redesigned vertical bevel gear shaft for the Airbus Helicopters EC225, which has suffered in-flight failures and a nine-month grounding in 2012 and 2013. Manufacturing of the redesigned gear shaft is under way for production aircraft and for retrofits, and installations for both applications are slated to begin in the second half of this year. Airbus Helicopters says that the new design eliminates all three factors that, combined, caused two unexpected vertical shaft failures. It provides corrosion resistance, compensates for residual stress and eliminates stress hot spots. To protect against corrosion, a smoother shape inside the shaft will prevent “mud” retention areas. Reinforcement in the welding area compensates for residual stress. Improved internal geometry removes hot spots such as small-radius angles that concentrate stress. Airbus Helicopters chief technology officer Jean-Brice Dumont described the module-level exchange procedure as “not very complicated” for the operator’s maintenance technicians and promised that Airbus Helicopters’ production capacity will not impede the process of retrofitting the fleet. Downtime will be six days.
The EASA has certified the redesigned vertical bevel gear shaft for the Airbus Helicopters EC225, which has suffered in-flight failures and a nine-month grounding in 2012 and 2013. Manufacturing of the redesigned gear shaft is under way for production aircraft and for retrofits, and installations for both applications are slated to begin in the second half of this year. Airbus Helicopters says that the new design eliminates all three factors that, combined, caused two unexpected vertical shaft failures. It provides corrosion resistance, compensates for residual stress and eliminates stress hot spots. To protect against corrosion, a smoother shape inside the shaft will prevent “mud” retention areas. Reinforcement in the welding area compensates for residual stress. Improved internal geometry removes hot spots such as small-radius angles that concentrate stress. Airbus Helicopters chief technology officer Jean-Brice Dumont described the module-level exchange procedure as “not very complicated” for the operator’s maintenance technicians and promised that Airbus Helicopters’ production capacity will not impede the process of retrofitting the fleet. Downtime will be six days.
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Aberdeenshire, UK
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Replacing the Bevel Gear shaft gets done by Airbus Helicopters themselfs, Operators stripping the Box and then send the Main to an AH Facility for Shaft change. Then Operators build up the Box and AH does the final test with the complete rebuild A/C.
So it's not that easy as AH says.
So it's not that easy as AH says.
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Aberdeenshire, UK
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No, you keep your module. Only the shaft gets replaced by AH.
And in addition the Mod45 Light gets taken out of the office, as it was only a interim solution.
Work should beginn as early as September this year.
The shafts for the whole North Sea fleet gets done via the Aberdeen AH Facility.
And in addition the Mod45 Light gets taken out of the office, as it was only a interim solution.
Work should beginn as early as September this year.
The shafts for the whole North Sea fleet gets done via the Aberdeen AH Facility.
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Aer
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No, Airbus have said they will be swapping our modules for modules with a new bevel gear shaft. I am not in Aberdeen, my 225s do not work the NS.
Last edited by terminus mos; 27th Apr 2014 at 08:32.
Join Date: Sep 2012
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Don't you just love the FAA Response!
This has been assessed by the AAIB as ‘rejected’.
Join Date: Mar 2005
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Remember the NTSB has fought battles with the FAA over Safety Recommendations in the past and in some cases it took a Public Outcry prompted by Media Attention to get any action from them.
That almost sounds familiar doesn't it?
That almost sounds familiar doesn't it?
Hi all
I'm converting onto the 225 can anybody tell me if the aircraft requires a high or low impedance headset? There is much conjecture amongst our group and a definitive answer has not been found as yet.
Thanks
I'm converting onto the 225 can anybody tell me if the aircraft requires a high or low impedance headset? There is much conjecture amongst our group and a definitive answer has not been found as yet.
Thanks
Join Date: Dec 2006
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Evil Twin. The civvie EC225 requires Low Impedance. All the ones I have flown are the same. I have a Bose A20 Low Impedance and it works fine. Hope this helps.
When you order a new one, it is up to the customer to specify the settings for the station boxes regarding impedance. So I don't think there is a definitive answer, but I suspect DB is right in that most, if not all, are low impedance.
Join Date: May 2012
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Can someone tell me which EC225 Simulators are in Aberdeen and their "Level"? Does Bristow have a sim? Is there an Airbus sim available? Do companies do their own training or is training contracted?
Bristow has an FFS B /FTD 3. If you this level is inadequate and would hold out for a level D, you would be foolish. There is virtually no practical or useful difference between these two grades. Sorry if I am pre-empting your response incorrectly!
Pretty sure AH's ABZ sim is similarly qualified (ie FFSB/FTD3) but I'm sure DB will correct me if that is wrong. I'm fairly sure the only level D is at Helisim. Personally I would rather use the Aberdeen devices even discounting the issues with travel, availability and cost.
Pretty sure AH's ABZ sim is similarly qualified (ie FFSB/FTD3) but I'm sure DB will correct me if that is wrong. I'm fairly sure the only level D is at Helisim. Personally I would rather use the Aberdeen devices even discounting the issues with travel, availability and cost.
Both the Bristow and AH EC225 sims are "FFS B/FTD 3".
The AH device is far better than Bristow due to superior visuals and having the latest aircraft software loaded. The Bristow device is sadly not being upgraded to keep it in line with the aircraft.
The AH device is far better than Bristow due to superior visuals and having the latest aircraft software loaded. The Bristow device is sadly not being upgraded to keep it in line with the aircraft.