Dust and sand?

[nomorehelosforme]

Obviously vision problems landing and taking off in these conditions, comments appreciated and pictures but are there maintenance requirements immediately required following either? Just curious

[BOBAKAT]

As possible, avoid Dust and sand....:=

[MLHeliwrench]

Once in a while our routine operation? If once in a while, not really a big deal. Compressor wash/rinse more often. Pop a bit of grease in all exposed bearings on the turning bits. If routine, it can drastically reduce an engines life and power checks should be done often to keep track of the inevitable downward trend.

[Arm out the window]

Blade leading edge erosion can be a problem.

I've also had really fine dust build up and cake on solidly to the leading edge causing a bad vibration.

[spinwing]

Mmmmm ...

Apart from the obvious ingestion issues .... keep in mind that fine dust particles can build up within oil coolers and blowers ducts and can cause some serious vibration (due out of balance) and or overheating problems.

:eek:

[ShyTorque]

Carry out zero speed landings rather than hovering; obviously dust gets everywhere, as already stated, once your downwash hits it.

But one extra thing I've learned: It's very important to look after your eyes as well as your aircraft, because otherwise you might well lose your concentration, with potentially disastrous consequences!

Turn the cockpit ventilation blower outlets away from your face and turn off the blower fan before you encounter a dust cloud (if you really must do that in the first place).

Then, after you exit the dusty conditions, turn the blower fan on maximum and open the outlets, to clear the system through.

Only later turn the outlets to aim at yourself. Because if you don't, you're likely to get grit blown in your eyes, sunglasses, visor or not and you'll certainly regret that.