505 pop outs

[GrayHorizonsHeli]

Please, I never ever want to re-pack these floats. They look obnoxiously frustrating

[SASless]

Hope it is very deep salt water with strong currents and a rocky bottom and the aircraft rolls over and sinks......after everyone get out!

One outfit I worked for provided us a knife for use in just such an occasion....suggesting they preferred insurance money over the hassle of dealing with the carcass of the helicopter.

[wrench1]

Originally Posted by GrayHorizonsHeli

Please, I never ever want to re-pack these floats. They look obnoxiously frustrating

You won't have to unless you work for a Dart repair facility. Operators just exchange for serviceable prepacked assemblies which is why the Darts are so popular. Here's the demo video of your still shot:

You Tube

[GrayHorizonsHeli]

If exchange with DART is the only option then phew...I can stop fearing the worst.
however, I'm betting it's not the only option and surely not a cheap one.

[Hot and Hi]

A pity the video didn't show them autorotating into the drink.

[wrench1]

Originally Posted by GrayHorizonsHeli

I'm betting it's not the only option and surely not a cheap one.

It's not the only option as Dart does allow the operator to work on their own floats. But I know of no operator (as of 5 years ago) who does due to in-house repair cost vs exchange. When Apical first designed these floats they had support of the largest operators due to the cost saving. Plus there is no 6mo inspection requirement like OEMs, only a 100hr visual and cable check, 18mo float replacement, and 3 year actual inflation with cable and float replacement. Now if they could only develop a system for a S76...