Robinson R44 blade tip corrosion
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 917
Likes: 0
From: UK
I regularly find corrosion on my rotor blades. I just scrape it off with a knife, back to bare metal, then put etch primer down and cover it all over with top coat. Works every time, been doing it for 15 years on the Enstrom and 4 years on the 500. You have to keep on top of it though.
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: england
different country
Bondu 121:
because
(i) most of the engineers in this country know each other, and many have worked together. They may like or dislike the person/the organisation that the other engineer works for.
Therefore there can be bias either way -- to get one over on the engineer they don't like, or to back up their mate's decision.
(ii) There is a vested interest in one local engineering company "rubbishing" another engineering company's decision in order to get some work. So if it is the other way around (the new engineering company condemns the blades that the old engineering company said were OK), then there is quite a lot of money at stake. One red U/S placard on a set of blades will earn an engineering company around 5 grand in commission on parts and labour for re-fitting spindles, head bearings, track and balance and so on.
(iii) Engineering companies in other countries have other views and standards. it is very useful to learn from these guys. Two companies abroad that I have had dealings with (but am in no way connected to) are Joelle at Air Technologies in Belgium and Ruedi Boser at heli-something in Switzerland.
They are first class people who run first class engineering companies, and I'm sure either would be able to give an impartial and un-biased expert opinion.
Hope this helps,
Big Ls.
because
(i) most of the engineers in this country know each other, and many have worked together. They may like or dislike the person/the organisation that the other engineer works for.
Therefore there can be bias either way -- to get one over on the engineer they don't like, or to back up their mate's decision.
(ii) There is a vested interest in one local engineering company "rubbishing" another engineering company's decision in order to get some work. So if it is the other way around (the new engineering company condemns the blades that the old engineering company said were OK), then there is quite a lot of money at stake. One red U/S placard on a set of blades will earn an engineering company around 5 grand in commission on parts and labour for re-fitting spindles, head bearings, track and balance and so on.
(iii) Engineering companies in other countries have other views and standards. it is very useful to learn from these guys. Two companies abroad that I have had dealings with (but am in no way connected to) are Joelle at Air Technologies in Belgium and Ruedi Boser at heli-something in Switzerland.
They are first class people who run first class engineering companies, and I'm sure either would be able to give an impartial and un-biased expert opinion.
Hope this helps,
Big Ls.
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 823
Likes: 0
From: on the edge
Send to Frank
Reference blade damage R44:
Take photos of the damage and send to tech department Robinson Helicopters.
They are always available to advise operators and will also arrange help through their tech reps in your country.
In my experience Robinson will not rip you off.
Cheers
BH
Take photos of the damage and send to tech department Robinson Helicopters.
They are always available to advise operators and will also arrange help through their tech reps in your country.
In my experience Robinson will not rip you off.
Cheers
BH
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
From: England
Thanks for all the responses guys.
At them min, things are not so black and white as first thought....
There IS corrosion once you remove the blade end plates but at the mintute and at the owners request I can't say no more. I'm sure most will understand....
Will update as and when I can fellas.
At them min, things are not so black and white as first thought....
There IS corrosion once you remove the blade end plates but at the mintute and at the owners request I can't say no more. I'm sure most will understand....
Will update as and when I can fellas.
Joined: Oct 1998
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: CGK to HKG
Corrosion
Chopjock
A little worried about the engineering procedure Chop.....
If there is any corrosion on anything it requires suitable removal, cleaning then measuring for data tollerance allowance.
Pehaps pass this then to Robinson for their evaluation.
TW
I just scrape it off with a knife, back to bare metal
If there is any corrosion on anything it requires suitable removal, cleaning then measuring for data tollerance allowance.
Pehaps pass this then to Robinson for their evaluation.
TW
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: england
offence
Bondu,
Why?
No offence is intended -- to anyone.
I work with engineers all the time, in this country and others, and (with a couple of notable exceptions) get on with virtually all of them.
Do you think the statements I make are incorrect?
I can back my assertions with some case histories, but it wouldn't be appropriate on this forum.
Glad to see that R44-pilot is now realising that things are not black and white all the time.
Big Ls
Why?
No offence is intended -- to anyone.
I work with engineers all the time, in this country and others, and (with a couple of notable exceptions) get on with virtually all of them.
Do you think the statements I make are incorrect?
I can back my assertions with some case histories, but it wouldn't be appropriate on this forum.
Glad to see that R44-pilot is now realising that things are not black and white all the time.
Big Ls
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Perth/Inverness
So all aircraft surveys, maintenance inspections, component surveys, etc should be carried out by overseas engineers?
Should UK engineers expect calls from the rest of the EU to carry out work because of EU paranoia about their engineers?
Strange old world/industry we work in.
Should UK engineers expect calls from the rest of the EU to carry out work because of EU paranoia about their engineers?
Strange old world/industry we work in.
