Removal of snow off rotor blades
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 241
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From: mobile
snow on rotor blades
Very carefully. There should be a procedure in your manuals. Avoid hammer and chisel. If it is above freezing you could hose it off. Beware of some anti-ice liquids, they can damage blades.
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 118
Likes: 1
From: UK
Just start her up....the gyroscopic effect will kick the snow off....
Inceidntally....does heavy snow and ice build up on MR blades damage them? I could imagine snow on a larger helicopter would cause serious droopage
(Oh er nurse!)
Inceidntally....does heavy snow and ice build up on MR blades damage them? I could imagine snow on a larger helicopter would cause serious droopage
(Oh er nurse!)
Joined: Jul 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL(H)
Posts: 3,054
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From: UK
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Canada
depends on the snow....
-if it was wet snow while falling and has turned into frozen ice you have a problem, you need heat and blade covers or a hangar to melt it.
-if there is no ice, just thick snow use a broom or brush and wipe it off
-if it was wet snow while falling and has turned into frozen ice you have a problem, you need heat and blade covers or a hangar to melt it.
-if there is no ice, just thick snow use a broom or brush and wipe it off
Joined: Aug 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 83
From: Gold Coast, Australia
Originally Posted by Brien23
What is the best way to remove snow off main rotor blades.
Composite blades (eg BK117) are far easier to clean of snow than old 'metal' blades, such as the Bell 206. Dry, soft snow will brush off easily, wet heavy snow will inevitably freeze onto the blade surface and be a PITA to get off. I've used hot water put on with a chamois leather to clear clear ice from the blade surface, constant application and drying required to eventually clear all snow and ice off the blade. Tedious, prone to frostbite if you're not careful, but the only reliable method that I found in 5 years of parking out the back of my place in the snow
Never, NEVER, rely on spinning the blades to shed any snow or ice. Anything left on the blade will create an enormous imbalance, and probably ground resonance if you get that far
Blade covers are the best way, if you have to leave a machine outside
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 26
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From: Greenland
Hi there,
If it is frozen and you can't brush it of, you have to use hot water and towels. Put the towel on the blade and pour the hot water over it. Start from the root of the blades and work your way out to the tip, the melted ice will go "downhill". It is a pain in the ass but the only way if you don't have a nice hangar..
Fly Safe..
If it is frozen and you can't brush it of, you have to use hot water and towels. Put the towel on the blade and pour the hot water over it. Start from the root of the blades and work your way out to the tip, the melted ice will go "downhill". It is a pain in the ass but the only way if you don't have a nice hangar..
Fly Safe..
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40
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From: Southwest EMS
Many years ago I worked for a fellow in the Northwest who left his H-269 outside one night. The next morning, one of the blades was actually touching the ground, because they were so piled high with snow and ice. He replaced that blade, because it had a crease in it. I saw the picture taken of with the blade touching the ground.
Of course, he showed that picture to me AFTER I had put about 140 hours on that particular helicopter
The things you don't know that happen to some aircraft......a bit worrying.
Of course, he showed that picture to me AFTER I had put about 140 hours on that particular helicopter
The things you don't know that happen to some aircraft......a bit worrying.
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, alberta
Somepitch has the answer. Put the blade covers on anytime there is the slightest chance of precipitation freezing on the blades overnight. It is a colossal pain in the ass because 98% of the time it was for nothing, but well worth it for the other 2% when you are in the bush and no hangar or deicing is available except for a bucket of water heated up in the cookshack.
