What Happens to Time Expired Robinsons ?

[FLY 7]

I gather Frank Robinson has built some 8,000 R22s/R44s over the last 25 years - but what actually happens when they reach the end of the 12 year cycle?

I was expecting to see loads on ebay :hmm:

[Pandalet]

They get rebuilt and resold as 'zero-timed', don't they?

[manfromuncle]

They get stuck up a pole outside Cabair Blackbushe.

[bolkow]

you used to have to send them back to frank robinson to be zeroed again for somewhere around £60000, but now this procedure can be dont in the UK.
Basically the trick is to make sure you have done 2000 inside of 12 years, and then you are supposed to be getting value for meney.

[tegwin]

What happenes to all the time expired parts though that have to be replaced?


Surley you could acquire enough time expired parts to be able to build a complete robo for static purposes...

[SASless]

Do R-22's live long enough to get "Time X's"?

I figgered they all eventually found their way to the scrap bin long before age becomes an issue.

[jemax]

I was flying a 2001 R22 in Nov, with 11,000 hours, flew as badly as new, on average rebuilt every 13 months. Think the ID plate was the only original part!

[Bladecrack]

flew as badly as new

Classic...:}

[bugdevheli]

Has anyone got accurate information on this subject. The interest comes from putting a timex/damaged 22 on Ebay. One hundred and fifty prospective clients are asking Can it go in for a refurb), and how much would it cost. My answer at present is," I have no idea"!. Can anyone give the real facts. Thanks Bug.

[Johe02]

They do a great job at Heliair Wellesbourne. Not sure of the cost but £60k sounds about right.

Could ask them - 01789 470476

[RobboRider]

The real answer is:

Some parts have to be replaced every 2200 hrs or 12 years (whichever comes first.)
A few parts (tail cone, ?Tail rotor gearbox I think) Skid cross tubes - get 2 cycles (4400 hours) before replacement.
Some parts have no limit on their life.

If parts have been replaced along the way they don't have to be replaced againat the overhaul until their time is up. You don't have to replace with new parts, you can replace with used provided you have all the history and paperwork with the parts and they still have life on them).

My experience when I had mine rebuilt was the total cost of a rebuild was somewhere between 1/3 and a 1/2 of the price of a new one. But a bit hard to actually put a price on it as when we pay for our parts depends on the rate of currency exchange at the time.

[Flyin'ematlast]

The last time I was at HeliAir Wellesbourne and chatted to an engineer in the process of re-building one he said it takes him around 3 months to do from start to CofA! :bored:

Factor in the cost of his time alongside the factory price for a rebuild kit of parts (for example prices see http://www.robinsonheli.com/pdf_files/r22_eoc_jan_2008.pdf ).

On the other hand you do end up with a "new" machine and it's a good opportunity to change / upgrade the machine spec (add instruments, change transponder type etc).

Ian.

[Vertical T/O]

Burn them!!!!

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f143/kevanfolan/08042006012.jpg

[HeliCraig]

Burrning the rest of the building around them as well is a bit extreme though!! :}

[K48]

Factor in the cost of his time alongside the factory price for a rebuild kit of parts (for example prices see http://www.robinsonheli.com/pdf_file...c_jan_2008.pdf ).


Is this how Robinson counts....... 8 Gals/hr is used in one part and 9.5 in another..... funny figures.

[Dan Reno]

Eventually they go the same way as US warplanes do at AMARC where they are cut-up, sold for scrap and then made into beer cans. Definite Win-Win!!

[bolkow]

that could explain why my beer tasted a little burned last night?

[bugdevheli]

This fire was obviously caused by the engineer dropping his cigarette in the tank when he tried to climb on the missing step (that little cross tube with the grippy on it). Bug

[500e]

8 gall to fire a 22 and they said they were cheap (US gall presume):ok: