Robinson R44
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Australia
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Sprocket..........
I realise this thread has past its use by date.......
However do you know if this problem[s] occurred in Australia.........and if so in what section of the industry???
I could guess..........but I won't!!!
Any other details would also be nice...time in service extra!!!
However do you know if this problem[s] occurred in Australia.........and if so in what section of the industry???
I could guess..........but I won't!!!
Any other details would also be nice...time in service extra!!!
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: The Daylight Saving Free Zone
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Red Wine: I have been wondering that also. The only other major incidents (to do with main rotors) that I am aware of, are to do with the R22 in the mustering industry.
I'm fairly sure the operator with the R44 in question is purely in the charter catagory and does not muster, but does fly coastal in the tropics. Hence the corrosion theories.
I was thinking somebody else would add similar experiences either from Oz or around the world but it seems that this may be the first incident in a R44.
I'm fairly sure the operator with the R44 in question is purely in the charter catagory and does not muster, but does fly coastal in the tropics. Hence the corrosion theories.
I was thinking somebody else would add similar experiences either from Oz or around the world but it seems that this may be the first incident in a R44.
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Queensland Australia
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He has either four or five R44s - can't recall which. Some based in the Cairns area and some at Horn Island in Torres Straits.
Pretty busy operation mostly doing contract work with Telstra, and other telecommunications companiestaking technicians to service repeater stations etc.
Also stringing power lines with Ergon and survey work (crocodile counting and the like ) with National parks and wildlife etc.
Also runs helifishing trips taking anglers out into the wilds of Nth. Qld. But doesn't do as much of that any more.
Doesn't do any mustering and most of the work is cruisy sort of stuff. Not the sort of wild and machine stressing sort of action that musterers get up to.
Pretty busy operation mostly doing contract work with Telstra, and other telecommunications companiestaking technicians to service repeater stations etc.
Also stringing power lines with Ergon and survey work (crocodile counting and the like ) with National parks and wildlife etc.
Also runs helifishing trips taking anglers out into the wilds of Nth. Qld. But doesn't do as much of that any more.
Doesn't do any mustering and most of the work is cruisy sort of stuff. Not the sort of wild and machine stressing sort of action that musterers get up to.
Join Date: Jul 2000
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This is an extract from the ATSB accident report .....
The full report is in this link ....
ATSB Report
At about 1 NM to the south of Mareeba township, at a cruise altitude of 1,000 ft and an indicated airspeed of about 95 kts, the pilot heard an unusual noise associated with the main rotor blades. The pilot reported that the noise sounded as though a potato chip packet had been caught in the blades and a violent vibration occurred in conjunction with the unusual noise.
The pilot was unable to identify or read the aircraft instruments because of the vibration and was unable to adequately control main rotor RPM after the onset of that vibration.
The violent vibration necessitated a landing. The pilot entered autorotation and selected a paddock for the forced landing. He reported that the helicopter was difficult to control during the descent. In particular, he was unable to turn the helicopter with left and right cyclic inputs. In particular, while cyclic inputs altered the attitude of the helicopter left and right it would not turn in the selected direction. The pilot also reported that it was difficult to control main rotor RPM during the autorotative descent and he relied upon the low rotor RPM horn and light as an indication of rotor RPM. The horn and light activated intermittently during the descent.
During the descent, the helicopter struck powerlines and was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that he was unable to avoid the powerlines because of the ineffective cyclic inputs. The pilot and passenger, the only occupants, suffered minor injuries.
A report from the accident site indicated significant main rotor blade skin disbonding 60 mm from the tip and extending 1070 mm inboard on one blade and the beginning of skin disbonding on the other blade. The ATSB conducted a preliminary investigation and it was apparent that the problem was a continuing airworthiness matter. ATSB released the main rotor blades to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for further examination as part of an airworthiness investigation.
The pilot was unable to identify or read the aircraft instruments because of the vibration and was unable to adequately control main rotor RPM after the onset of that vibration.
The violent vibration necessitated a landing. The pilot entered autorotation and selected a paddock for the forced landing. He reported that the helicopter was difficult to control during the descent. In particular, he was unable to turn the helicopter with left and right cyclic inputs. In particular, while cyclic inputs altered the attitude of the helicopter left and right it would not turn in the selected direction. The pilot also reported that it was difficult to control main rotor RPM during the autorotative descent and he relied upon the low rotor RPM horn and light as an indication of rotor RPM. The horn and light activated intermittently during the descent.
During the descent, the helicopter struck powerlines and was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that he was unable to avoid the powerlines because of the ineffective cyclic inputs. The pilot and passenger, the only occupants, suffered minor injuries.
A report from the accident site indicated significant main rotor blade skin disbonding 60 mm from the tip and extending 1070 mm inboard on one blade and the beginning of skin disbonding on the other blade. The ATSB conducted a preliminary investigation and it was apparent that the problem was a continuing airworthiness matter. ATSB released the main rotor blades to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for further examination as part of an airworthiness investigation.
ATSB Report
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: ...where the girls are so pretty
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Raven II
Come on all you Raven II owners out there,give us your opinions on this in my opinion wonderful machine!
I took delivery of one about 2 weeks ago and it has lived up to all my expectations and then some...!It's very smooth even at close to Vne and the power is a joy even with 4 POB and full fuel.It looks striking in metalic black with gold trim.I'm confident I made the right choice,as a second hand Jetranger was a consideration.There's a very interesting article in this months Rotor&Wing about piston versus turbine which some of you hopefully will get a chance to read and ponder...
Onwards and upwards...
I took delivery of one about 2 weeks ago and it has lived up to all my expectations and then some...!It's very smooth even at close to Vne and the power is a joy even with 4 POB and full fuel.It looks striking in metalic black with gold trim.I'm confident I made the right choice,as a second hand Jetranger was a consideration.There's a very interesting article in this months Rotor&Wing about piston versus turbine which some of you hopefully will get a chance to read and ponder...
Onwards and upwards...
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: LEAX, Spain
Age: 62
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Tiz a grand machine, but I doubt you're getting your full monies worth on the east coast of Ireland. Bring it down here to Spain where you can get hot and high. Then I think you'll feel the real advantage over the standard Raven.
Good luck with it.
Dantruck
Good luck with it.
Dantruck
Join Date: Jan 1999
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Raven 2
James,
I've been sitting on the sidelines waiting to see how the Raven 2 was received before buying one myself....I,m 99% convinced at the moment and will decide this week,. a
Any other pointers you could give would be appreciated..
any chance you could post a picture of the machine in Mettallic Black as that is my choice colour and would be nice to see the beast in its glory..
Cheers,
I've been sitting on the sidelines waiting to see how the Raven 2 was received before buying one myself....I,m 99% convinced at the moment and will decide this week,. a
Any other pointers you could give would be appreciated..
any chance you could post a picture of the machine in Mettallic Black as that is my choice colour and would be nice to see the beast in its glory..
Cheers,
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Philadelphia PA
Age: 73
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I just flew it a month or so ago for an article in Defence and Public Service Helicopter (article coming out soon), and it was superb.
I have probably less than 2 hours total in any of Frank Robinson's wonderful machines, and this was amazing. Piston engine? If you couldn't hear the noise, and just concerned yourself with handling the machine, the combination of fuel injection and governor makes this just about like a turbine.
Now if it only had an AFCS at a low price... (and I know someone - (not Robinson - so don't bother them) who is working on one....)
Shawn
I have probably less than 2 hours total in any of Frank Robinson's wonderful machines, and this was amazing. Piston engine? If you couldn't hear the noise, and just concerned yourself with handling the machine, the combination of fuel injection and governor makes this just about like a turbine.
Now if it only had an AFCS at a low price... (and I know someone - (not Robinson - so don't bother them) who is working on one....)
Shawn
Shawn,
ooooo..... c'mon don't leave it there...
I'm sure you can't tell us who it is, but would you be prepared to tell us how big the machine is? How many passengers?
Cheers
CRAN
ooooo..... c'mon don't leave it there...
I'm sure you can't tell us who it is, but would you be prepared to tell us how big the machine is? How many passengers?
Cheers
CRAN
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: ...where the girls are so pretty
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...well I couldn't recommend it higher,not sure whether you're in the UK but Heliair do a great interior fitout with the extra leather trim and a master avionics switch as a useful addition,In my opinion the only colours to go for are metalic black or racing green and I've seen it in lots of different colours including black and bright yellow combo,not to sure about that though it may make one more visable in the sky...I would like to post a picture of mine but not quite sure how to do it.I'm running Windows XP,help appreciated.
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: South East England
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Hi James,
Glad you like it. You copied my colour scheme (Royalties being accepted)
Mine is in for it's 100 hour next week !
It just gets better and better now it's "Worn in a tad"
I've just had a Special Service letter from Robinsons regarding the governor though. In light conditions the governer has noticable oscillations particually on machines S/N 10001 thru 10047 (except 10016).
It requires changing the D278-1 controller. Cost: $800 deposit, refundable on exchange unit being returned.
See you soon....
Graham
Glad you like it. You copied my colour scheme (Royalties being accepted)
Mine is in for it's 100 hour next week !
It just gets better and better now it's "Worn in a tad"
I've just had a Special Service letter from Robinsons regarding the governor though. In light conditions the governer has noticable oscillations particually on machines S/N 10001 thru 10047 (except 10016).
It requires changing the D278-1 controller. Cost: $800 deposit, refundable on exchange unit being returned.
See you soon....
Graham
Raven 2
Join Date: May 2001
Location: London
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From Rotorhub:
Torrance, CA – Robinson Helicopter Company deliveries of R22 and R44 helicopters during the first quarter of 2003 were 58% higher than during the first quarter of 2002. Leading the increase was the R44 with 57 deliveries followed by the R22 with 30, making a total of 87 new helicopters produced by Robinson during the first three months of 2003.
To accommodate the increased demand, Robinson added 100 more production workers, raising its total workforce from 600 to 700. Even with the additional workers, R44 Raven II production is sold out nearly five months in advance. The popularity of the new Raven II has surprised everyone. With its higher airspeed and altitude performance, plus additional payload, the Raven II found an eager market and has already become the top selling helicopter in the world by a substantial margin.
Torrance, CA – Robinson Helicopter Company deliveries of R22 and R44 helicopters during the first quarter of 2003 were 58% higher than during the first quarter of 2002. Leading the increase was the R44 with 57 deliveries followed by the R22 with 30, making a total of 87 new helicopters produced by Robinson during the first three months of 2003.
To accommodate the increased demand, Robinson added 100 more production workers, raising its total workforce from 600 to 700. Even with the additional workers, R44 Raven II production is sold out nearly five months in advance. The popularity of the new Raven II has surprised everyone. With its higher airspeed and altitude performance, plus additional payload, the Raven II found an eager market and has already become the top selling helicopter in the world by a substantial margin.