EC120
Join Date: Nov 2005
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It only logs 31 flights. So you won't find anything. However if the helicopter is on an approved maintenance schedule the maintenance organisation downloads the data and you will have a complete history, or if they don't have the kit they record it in the logs. There's no fooling around with EC120'S, maybe it's different of course with maintenance organisations outside JAA land.
So I would look for a machine which is part145 maintained.
So I would look for a machine which is part145 maintained.
Join Date: Feb 2003
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on the 120, has anyone had a significant stick shake happen during the hydraulic isolation (collective cut-off) check. It was smooth during the check until today.
Blades & trim tabs are fine - none bent etc.
Blades & trim tabs are fine - none bent etc.
Join Date: Mar 2006
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No never ! You allways get a little "jump" as you selcet Hyd Off but after that smooth as hyd on.
I would suggest the Hyd's are masking some problem and would strongly get it checked before flight !
E.
I would suggest the Hyd's are masking some problem and would strongly get it checked before flight !
E.
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I have a question:
As with all helicopters, the EC120 has published limitations on power available. These come under the categories of:
- Max. continuous rating
- Max. transient rating
- Max. takeoff rating
'Max. continuous rating' is just that - you can fly at this power setting for hours.
'Max. transient rating' is defined in the Flight Manual as being available for only 5 sec.
However 'Max. takeoff rating' is for some reason not defined in the Flight Manual (not in mine anyway). So extra power is available for the purpose of taking off, but cannot be used continuously. So just how long does 'taking off' take? Presumably, the VEMD will log any exceedance of 'Max. takeoff' power, so it presumably has an in-built time limit. The question is how long is it?
Most other helis I've flown define 'Max. takeoff rating' in the Flight Manual, as being a 5 min rating. The apparent absence of a definition in the EC120 Flight Manual could lead to an interesting legal situation in the right circumstances...
As with all helicopters, the EC120 has published limitations on power available. These come under the categories of:
- Max. continuous rating
- Max. transient rating
- Max. takeoff rating
'Max. continuous rating' is just that - you can fly at this power setting for hours.
'Max. transient rating' is defined in the Flight Manual as being available for only 5 sec.
However 'Max. takeoff rating' is for some reason not defined in the Flight Manual (not in mine anyway). So extra power is available for the purpose of taking off, but cannot be used continuously. So just how long does 'taking off' take? Presumably, the VEMD will log any exceedance of 'Max. takeoff' power, so it presumably has an in-built time limit. The question is how long is it?
Most other helis I've flown define 'Max. takeoff rating' in the Flight Manual, as being a 5 min rating. The apparent absence of a definition in the EC120 Flight Manual could lead to an interesting legal situation in the right circumstances...
Been a while since I flew the E120 last, but if I rememeber correctly:
You "take-off rating" is the yellow band on the FLI, this can only be used below Vy. Your transient is when when you exceed the redline, a coloured line will appear under the limit you are exceeding. "Max cont. rating" is your Tq fiqure at the start of the yellow band minus 10%.
I think that is correct, if you asked me a year ago I would have been able to tell you what the book says word for word.
I would get your manual checked to see if it is current if you are in doubt about the information contained within it.
Happy flying, TiP
You "take-off rating" is the yellow band on the FLI, this can only be used below Vy. Your transient is when when you exceed the redline, a coloured line will appear under the limit you are exceeding. "Max cont. rating" is your Tq fiqure at the start of the yellow band minus 10%.
I think that is correct, if you asked me a year ago I would have been able to tell you what the book says word for word.
I would get your manual checked to see if it is current if you are in doubt about the information contained within it.
Happy flying, TiP
>
However 'Max. takeoff rating' is for some reason not defined in the Flight Manual (not in mine anyway). So extra power is available for the purpose of taking off, but cannot be used continuously. So just how long does 'taking off' take? Presumably, the VEMD will log any exceedance of 'Max. takeoff' power, so it presumably has an in-built time limit. The question is how long is it?
<
Cursory glances at the airframe & engine maintenance manuals reveal no time limit for Q and Ng. Maintenance inspection/procedures are required after 5 minutes for T4. VEMD recording parameters are in the manual also. Dont take my word for it.
However 'Max. takeoff rating' is for some reason not defined in the Flight Manual (not in mine anyway). So extra power is available for the purpose of taking off, but cannot be used continuously. So just how long does 'taking off' take? Presumably, the VEMD will log any exceedance of 'Max. takeoff' power, so it presumably has an in-built time limit. The question is how long is it?
<
Cursory glances at the airframe & engine maintenance manuals reveal no time limit for Q and Ng. Maintenance inspection/procedures are required after 5 minutes for T4. VEMD recording parameters are in the manual also. Dont take my word for it.
Cool as a moosp
Join Date: Aug 2001
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Has anyone had recent experience of the turnaround time of a VEMD line module replacement. We had to send ours back to France for exchange and knowing EC it could take a while.
Just trying to get an idea for planning.
Thanks
Just trying to get an idea for planning.
Thanks
Join Date: Apr 2004
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rear baggage door seal frame cracks found
I found 2 areas with between the rivets cracking. They are up by the battery hold down clasp area,
in the frame piece (that holds the door seal), by the tailboom junction. there is a fix for under the battery also. we added doublers and stop drilled the cracked areas . also, primer is almost impossible to get unless you are at the factory and can bum some..
in the frame piece (that holds the door seal), by the tailboom junction. there is a fix for under the battery also. we added doublers and stop drilled the cracked areas . also, primer is almost impossible to get unless you are at the factory and can bum some..
Last edited by lamanated; 9th Dec 2009 at 13:10. Reason: additional info
Cool as a moosp
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lamaneted, we see you have a concern, can you tell us more about this problem? How do you define the battery hold down frame. How big are the cracks, are they an airworthiness problem or more a design problem to fix with a spot weld?
In aviation aluminium cracks do appear in the airframe, but in many cases they are benign and maybe need a drill stop to fix. What is your point?
In aviation aluminium cracks do appear in the airframe, but in many cases they are benign and maybe need a drill stop to fix. What is your point?
Cool as a moosp
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A new one for you. Can anyone help with a type technical exam question that is along the following lines.
Q) If the servo control system fails, the cyclic control will move,
A) Forward and left
B) Forward and right
C) Aft and left
D) Aft and right
I had not idea and guessed.
When doing the HYD off drill, I do not notice that the cyclic moves in any particular direction, it just jumps in your hand.
Any thoughts?
Q) If the servo control system fails, the cyclic control will move,
A) Forward and left
B) Forward and right
C) Aft and left
D) Aft and right
I had not idea and guessed.
When doing the HYD off drill, I do not notice that the cyclic moves in any particular direction, it just jumps in your hand.
Any thoughts?
Hi JimEli
"However 'Max. takeoff rating' is for some reason not defined in the Flight Manual (not in mine anyway). So extra power is available for the purpose of taking off, but cannot be used continuously. So just how long does 'taking off' take? Presumably, the VEMD will log any exceedance of 'Max. takeoff' power, so it presumably has an in-built time limit. The question is how long is it?"
Not quite sure, cause I donīt have an EC120 rating.
When flying the bigger birds, you have to watch the speed when pulling beyond the red line - be below it before reaching 40 Knots - as far as I remeber ;-)
Otherwise the recording starts.....
Greetings Flyin Bull
P.S. and try, to fly without needing the extra bit - bloody stuff seems to fail more often, when operated at the limits....
Good old crawling away in the ground cushion Chickenhwak style takeoffs ;-)
"However 'Max. takeoff rating' is for some reason not defined in the Flight Manual (not in mine anyway). So extra power is available for the purpose of taking off, but cannot be used continuously. So just how long does 'taking off' take? Presumably, the VEMD will log any exceedance of 'Max. takeoff' power, so it presumably has an in-built time limit. The question is how long is it?"
Not quite sure, cause I donīt have an EC120 rating.
When flying the bigger birds, you have to watch the speed when pulling beyond the red line - be below it before reaching 40 Knots - as far as I remeber ;-)
Otherwise the recording starts.....
Greetings Flyin Bull
P.S. and try, to fly without needing the extra bit - bloody stuff seems to fail more often, when operated at the limits....
Good old crawling away in the ground cushion Chickenhwak style takeoffs ;-)
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Hyd question
When the hydraulics is shut off the cyclic will move aft and to the right. This is because of blowback and dissymmetry of lift. The hydraulics is no longer there to overcome these forces and the work is put into your hands; manual labor. If anyone has a different explanation I would love to hear it.
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London Helicopter Centre (LHC) at Redhill should be able to help.
There used to be a few private aircraft on the south coast some of which are now up for sale, so you could always buy your own if your feeling flush!
Helicentre Aviation which is Coventry might still have access to a machine that spent some of it's time around the Compton Abbas area but i'm not sure whether it's still available.
There used to be a few private aircraft on the south coast some of which are now up for sale, so you could always buy your own if your feeling flush!
Helicentre Aviation which is Coventry might still have access to a machine that spent some of it's time around the Compton Abbas area but i'm not sure whether it's still available.