Gazelle Info

[jetbox 21]

Can anybody help me out with infomation on folding the blades on a Gazelle?
1. how long a job is it
2. is it a 1/2 man job
3. any special kit needed

The reason I ask is for access in & out of a hangar

[ericferret]

5 minutes

2 men

Blade folding kit which weighs about 5 pounds and consists of a number of blocks for the head and tie downs for the blade tips.

Probably the easiest helicopter there is to fold.

[A.Agincourt]

jetbox21 -

Can anybody help me out with infomation on folding the blades on a Gazelle?
1. how long a job is it
2. is it a 1/2 man job
3. any special kit needed

A1: If you are practised and know what you are doing, I'd say 10/15 mins.
A2: One on the decking [balancing straddle the engine], one on a short ladder at the blade tip [you may need to raise a tad to loosen up the pressure on the pins] and one to assist with the cradle.
A3: 3 blocks, boom cradle, soft faced hammer [persuader].

The reason I ask is for access in & out of a hangar

You have a problem here in that with the blades folded the tail of the aircraft is very heavy and will crash to the ground if not held very securely when jacking up. It is heavy enough to be too much to hold by one person unless you have a bod counter balancing by standing on the front of the skid just forward of the front skid post. This means you have to have at least 4 people to do it safely and effectively.

Used to have to do this back in the late 70's early 80's and smashed more than one frangible. If you are contemplating this option simply as an easy in/out of a hangar then in my experience - it certainly is not. I'd recommend an alternative. However it is some time since I was last playful with the Gaz so my memory might be a bit jaded. However, I will ask a buddy of mine who is at least current.

There is also the aspect of accidental damage during the process........

Hope that is of help.




Best Wishes




Ace

[md 600 driver]

jet box
if you come to breighton airfield i will show you

on your gazelle or mine

steve

[ericferret]

Agincourt is right about the time my 5 mins was a touch off the cuff!!!

The potential for damage is there if you get it wrong. Pulling the damper pin before putting in the pitch lock can get you at best into a shouting for help scenario or at worst a damaged blade or tailboom.

We would put ballast in the front before moving the aircraft.

We used to fold six a night for hangarage without too much grief.

Folding is best avoided, but the Gaz is probably still the easiest to fold.

[jetbox 21]

Thanks for all your help Guys,

Steve should of asked you last friday when we did our LPC's !!!
Will be in touch when I get a bit further down the line with it.

[Agaricus bisporus]

Shouldn't be too hard to build a wheeled towing frame with a strut supporting the tail.

[diginagain]

There are times when being able to fold the blades can be advantageous;