How often to start up an hangared turbine helicopter

[Jackop3]

Hi, I'm trying to know where can I find something written about how often do I need to start up a turbine helicopter that is inside a hangar, normally in the multiple helicopter I had flown we need to start up at least once weekly but I'm looking something written about that and can't find anything yet... Thanks

[nuthin]

I remember the EC120 needed the once a week startup or else needed to be crated up and stored.

The written requirement for that was in the maintenance manual

[Flying Bull]

Yep, you have to look up in the maintenancemanual.
EC155 as well once a week at least 5min groundrun.
If you don't, expect problems after longer groundstay

[Devil 49]

Reference for Astars

check the engine maintenance manuals reference storage procedures. If not complied with, Turbomecas need to be run up every 7 days.

[Chris P Bacon]

I always advise the engine should be motored over on the starter each week. This ensures oil is pumped round the engines, with the bearings given an oil coating and preventing corrosion pitting.

[Jackop3]

Thank you so much for your help, the specific helicopter is a Robinson 66 with the rolls Royce 250-C300/A1 turbine, and I was looking in the maintenance manual, the POH, the engine training manual and still can't found something about how often do I need to start up the helicopter if is not flying for more than 15 days, as I said the previous helicopters I had flown you have to start up in a weekly basis, again thanks for the help you can give me.

[RVDT]

IAEF RTFM FFS!

Don't come here for answers - RTF Maintenance Manual.

Otherwise you will end up with "wives tales".

e.g.

Motor over on the starter each week

Unless that procedure is in the manual it is a waste of time and cannot be recorded and certified.
I know of at least 2 models of engine where that would be pointless.

Normally in

Chapter 5-00-00 Time/Limits, Maintenance Checks and
Chapter 10-00-00 Parking, Mooring, Storage & Return To Service

of each respective Aircraft and Powerplant Maintenance Manual.

[Jackop3]

Thanks for your help, as I said before I can't find anything written about that specific issue, Robinson brings some indications about the storage of the helicopter for more than 30 days which is not my case, also they bring some indications about lifetime of components being storage, I really appreciate if somebody can help me with something written about how often do a person need to start up a turbine engine, there must be something in a manual, I know turbine engines are different but the operation principle is almost the same. Again thanks.

[Efirmovich]

I find it blows up so much dust when I start the 350 up in the hangar !


I'll get my coat !


E.

[hoistop]

Hi,
RR 250 has everything explained in M.M., but don`t know for yours.
It is good to know that important thing in doing ground start is to purge all condensed water from oil-if you run it for a very short period, it might result even in more condensed water in the oil, so make sure oil comes above 100 deg. C in the system. (Oil T will not show the highest temp in the system as it is not at the point where oil gets really hot - turbine bearings)

hoistop

[helicopterray]

Chapter 71 of your engine Maintenance Manual will have a series of procedures for short term and long term storage. (And definitions of what is short term/long term.)

[Jackop3]

Thanks for your help, actually I was looking in the MM chapter 71 but can't find anything there, just the description of the power plant, engine, preparing engine for rolls Royce maintenance facility, for helicopter installation, and then all the accessories. Again, nothing about "how often do I need to start up my helicopter"... Thanks again for your help.

[CRAZYBROADSWORD]

Why not just fly it for half an hour every week or ten days ? That way you know everything still works for when you need it

[N707ZS]

Send a mail to customer support, they must be able to find an answer for you.

[noooby]

It sounds like you're looking in Ch 71 of the Robinson R66 Helicopter Maintenance Manual.

That is the WRONG place to look.

You need to look in the Rolls Royce Engine Maintenance Manual. It will be in there.

[Chris P Bacon]

Having checked with the RR300 team in Indianapolis for thier view, here is the response

Inactivity of 10-15 days is not a concern for the engine. Especially ifit is stored indoors with engine covers installed and away from a salt waterenvironment.

Obviously, an engine stored outside, without covers, or near saltwater.Would need compressor rinses and engine runs on a more regular basis.Rolls-Royce recommends the operator use their own experience as a guide inthese situations.

A worst case scenario of an operator with a helicopter based outside onan offshore rig would want to do daily compressor rinses and external enginewashes.

A best case scenario of an operator several hundred miles from the oceanor pollution, with an environmentally controlled hangar and engine coversinstalled, would be fine with an engine run every 45 days.

Most operators will fall somewhere in betweenthese extremes

[Jackop3]

Thanks

Thanks a lot for all of you that helped in this question.

[FSXPilot]

email Pat Cox at Robinson. They usually reply within a day or so.

[Jackop3]

Thanks again everybody, this is what a get from Robinson:

"Here is what the RR300 Operation and Maintenance Manual says:

"RR300 OMM task 72-00-00-600-801
1. Preserve the Engine for Aircraft Storage - Zero to 45 Days
(a) Install the protective covers on the engine inlet and on the
exhaust collector."

The R66's inlet barrier filter element (foam) serves as an engine inlet
cover, so all you need do is install the cover on the exhaust.

I cannot find any reference to periodically operate the engine within the
noted 45 days."

So, according to this; this engine can be 45 days without operation and there is not a problem.

[riff_raff]

Section 10-20 (pg 10.6) of the R66 mm covers "Storage (greater than 30 days)", but does not mention running the engine/drivetrain. I also did not see any reference to exercising the engine/drivetrain during extended storage periods in any of the sections covering the engine or gearbox. You can read the manual here: http://robinsonheli.com/manuals/r66_..._full_book.pdf

I have done a bit of engineering work with rotorcraft drivetrains, and personally I think it would be prudent to occasionally run the engine and gearbox for a couple reasons-

First, the RR300 engines use carbon face seals. This type of seal requires a metal gland sealing surface for the carbon ring to rub against that is almost perfectly flat and highly polished. If the seal is not operated for long periods of time and re-coated with lube oil, the highly polished gland surface can experience corrosion. And this can cause the seal to leak.

Second, unless the engine/gearbox lube oil systems are sealed and employ a desiccant breather element, then the air volume contained within the housing/reservoir will contain some moisture. And the moisture will condense out on the surface of internal components like gears, shafts and bearings when the engine/gearbox cool after shut-down. It would be beneficial to periodically run the engine/gearbox long enough to heat the lube oil up, flush the gears and bearings with clean oil, and circulate any water that has accumulated at the bottom of the gearbox sump or oil reservoir.