To return for a moment to Golden Rivet's original question - looking for an answer for the Belgrano's stokers....
There's a complete mixture of blade types flying today - why?
Because that's what the clever designer chappie decided, as modified by the beancounter's restrictions. As Rob L suggested, yer man wants to know the ins and outs to see how much you know....and to give you a chance to dig a bullsh!t hole big enough to disappear from sight.
Given the appallingly low level of helo knowledge currently on display from our Authority, it's a better than even chance that you already know much more about your aircraft than he does anyway.
Which isn't unreasonable given that the surveyor probably looks at 25 different aircraft types a week and can't possibly know much about any except those he may have worked on when he was employed by BA.
Considered opinion, when asked this question, suggests that after a few words of wisdom (readily gleaned from real experts like Nick above, read the posts) you could tactfully remind your man that it's a MAINTENANCE licence you're being examined for, not a design licence. Admittedly, it risks a snotty reaction, but a review of the syllabus doesn't seem to require a detailed knowledge of the entire design process, but a general understanding of same combined with a detailed knowledge of the looking after of the beast.
Best of luck with the resit (!)
