Originally Posted by
JohnDixson
Greetings 212. Re this comparison: has the S-92 AVC with 6 FG’s vs the original 3 gained wide acceptance?. Re the number of blades. In either 2003 or 2004, we flew a flight loads survey on the 92 at a GW as I recall of 31800, in support of a Portuguese effort to obtain a European off shore SAR program. You know the original design gross weight for the CH-53 was 33,000 lbs and as we reacquainted ourselves with the subject of blade stall, we also renewed our appreciation for the CH-53 decision makers as to rotor solidity and number of blades for vibration control.
Hi John, to be honest I don't know what proportion of the fleet has 6 FGs, but my recollection is that it was becoming the standard fit. Our aircraft had/have them (retrofitted as not available at delivery) and it was a big improvement, although we would have preferred 5 blades!