Van Horn Tail Rotor Blades

[gunpilot75]

Does anyone have any reviews from personal experience with the Van Horn tail rotor blades on the 206? I operate a 206b3 and am strongly considering them. Just looking for honest reviews in performance for the price.

[Vertical Freedom]

Van Horns ROCK

Awesome, really does give at least 20% increase in Tair-Rotor authority, & cheaper in the long run with double the life at a few grand more to purchase makes a massive differance up here in Nepal. I have more options with more power & can fly away when before it was a no go till I off loaded something.

[Jungledog]

Van horns

On a UH-1H made about 1 1/2% N 1 difference which equated to never hitting the stop, highly recommend van horn TR blades.

[nuthin]

+1 for the 206. I would like to compare them on a L4 versus Bells HA tail rotor system on the L4.
Just be aware they have no tolerance for TR strikes. If they are working in the bush it is something to consider.

[Jungledog]

Van horn

Correct, had a zuss fastener com out of the 42 and f--ked one blade, I nearly cried cos I had to go back to the old blades for a while.

[Vertical Freedom]

Van Horn TR Blades ROCK

Hey nuthin

The L4 HA Tail-Rotor Blades (same as 407) is what the VanHorns are based around, only with even more authority

As for TR strikes I suggest go with the NOTAR I don't believe any machines TR blades are designed for impacting anything & yes they are plastic so not as tough as metal blades We have been using them in the bush for about 500hrs with zero problems & zero damage

Happy landings

[EMS R22]

That Candian buck brush is good to trim up with ya tail rotor though

[John Eacott]

gunpilot75, there are a number of posts over the years on the Van Horn TRBs:

MD Thread

MD video, Van Horn TRBs

Numerous posts about MD500

LTE discussion, last few posts

JetRanger/LongRanger thread

Firefighting discussion

MD500 vs NOTAR

[nuthin]

I guess I meant comparing a standard L4 with Van Horns to the Bell system.

The Bell system is expensive to buy as a kit and definitely has its quirks not to mention it likes to chew through various components.

Just remember all that improved TR authority will lead you to the next weak link and on Bells I think that is "intercostal",
where the boom attaches to the fuselage.

[JohnDixson]

Next Weak Link

Assuming that a standard and rigorous flight loads survey was completed on an appropriately instrumented model that the blade is intended for, the answer as to whether there is a change in the amplitude and frequency of the loads passed to other parts of the airframe should have been determined.

Should have added: Also assumed that if Van Horn perfromed the flight loads survey flight test, they would have passed the test data on to the OEM ( Bell ) for review, as only the OEM would have the repository data on the basic airframe, thus, only they would be in a position to determine if there was an effect on other structure, as posited by " Nuthin ".

[Gordy]

I fly the L4 with the HA system and have had no problems, other than the system tends to "hunt" for the right setting while either climbing or descending through the 3-7k DA range......I normally shut it off when in that range.

[500e]

The rumor is VH & MDHI have gone their separate ways ?

[Vertical Freedom]

Van Horn TR Blades ROCK

Hey Gordy

Excuse my limited knowledge, what exactly do You 'turn off' between 3-7,000' DA & also what is 'hunting' during climbing & descending?

HAPPY HAPPY

[Gordy]

VF

I turn off the actuactors to the HA TR system.

The HATR system receives a PA and Temp feed and will pr-pitch the blades upto 7,000 DA. Therefore at 7,000 DA the pedals are in the neutral position and you still have FULL left pedal authority. So I turn the system off so that the helicopter does not constantly "hunt" left to right as the system is trying to find neutrality.

[nuthin]

When the actuators are turned off they default to the low altitude setting right?
So you dont have full TR authority below 7000.

[Ian Corrigible]

Originally Posted by 500e

The rumor is VH & MDHI have gone their separate ways ?

Confirmed:
“Lynn [Tilton, MD Helicopters chairman and CEO] felt they had a better use for the [MD500E test] aircraft,” Van Horn said. “We’ve gone our separate ways and there will be no future collaboration with MD Helicopters.”

As a result of which: "VHA shifts priorities to 206 main rotor blade development"

I/C

[Gordy]

When the actuators are turned off they default to the low altitude setting right?
So you dont have full TR authority below 7000.

In reality there is no off switch--we just pull the circuit breaker and it remains at the position it was in when you turned off the power, (as far as I know---I will go check here in an hour or so).