Blade Tape on Enstrom
In the days when EHC were using poly-3M tape on their Enstrom models ... that WAS dangerous, since I've experienced two forced landings which, in once case, rendered the instrument panel unreadable and in the other, cracked the base of the instrument pod ... I also suffered a third on a Hughes (Schweizer 300 - now Sikorsky) which forced me into a muddy field on a sales demo! Cost me a new pair of suede shoes! A fourth to Enstrom 280 G-LONS resulted in the aircraft rolling over following an attempted run-on landing and being destroyed. Pilot OK. The later stainless steel tape seems to have resolved the problem. EHC responded t the problem by putting tape breakups down to poor 'housekeeping.' Early indications on the Enstrom blade seemed to be discolouration and a yellow opaqueness. Most now fitted with a series of short lengths and flying with one section only removed involved very little increase in vibration and OK to get home. DRK.