AB 206 issues
Thread Starter
AB 206 issues
As we are aware the Agusta 206’s fitted with Bell parts fitted are now potentially grounded unless the parts have been changed over to Agusta. The recent MR blade AD that came out recently, mainly aimed at the -33 blades that require a boro scope have seen even more AB 206’s grounded, as many blades have failed.. All of this is resulting in many previously perfectly serviceable Jet Rangers now sitting in hangers, I have four in mine that require Agusta parts or blades to go back into service. The 2 reg accepted a few as long as the Bell parts fitted were pre 2006. My thoughts are, has anyone found a good solution outside of the 2 reg, or would it make sense to see what could be done, parts wise between owners to get aircraft back in the air? A share of parts requirement, Bell swap etc, I am happy to help where I can, just seems wasteful to have them grounded.
Thread Starter
What parts do you need, I have some, also there must be a way of looking at what’s needed by everyone and looking what can be exchanged etc, either that or they are grounded until we find a alternative authority
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Unfortunately you have a manufacturer in Leonardo who have zero interest in keeping these aircraft flying.
Good lock with your initiative Formerlongbox. I will have a look and see if I have anything lying about that might help someone.
For the uninformed which blades are allowed on AB206’s v B206’s? Any composite blades? Tail rotor which versions also? Do I remember that AB206’s have odd instrument panels compared with B206’s? Forgive my curiosity.
Well, this is the original bombshell letter, way back in 2006.
https://www.caa.co.uk/uploadedFiles/...-004%20(2).pdf
Until that point, the custom and practice was that you could install Bell parts on Agusta Bell machines, but not the other way round. But the industry took a fairly relaxed view of implementing this instruction, hence why we are where we are now.
So I would hazard a guess that the failing -033 blades can only be replaced by -133 blades. I recall though that you cannot purchase new blades now from Bell (and even if you could they were $$$$$s last time I looked), only lease (that correct?). So even if you wanted to purchase a set of -133 blades, then ship them to Leonardo for certification by Agusta, you can't.
https://www.caa.co.uk/uploadedFiles/...-004%20(2).pdf
Until that point, the custom and practice was that you could install Bell parts on Agusta Bell machines, but not the other way round. But the industry took a fairly relaxed view of implementing this instruction, hence why we are where we are now.
So I would hazard a guess that the failing -033 blades can only be replaced by -133 blades. I recall though that you cannot purchase new blades now from Bell (and even if you could they were $$$$$s last time I looked), only lease (that correct?). So even if you wanted to purchase a set of -133 blades, then ship them to Leonardo for certification by Agusta, you can't.
Thread Starter
Northern star, post 2006 the only MR blades you can fit on a AB206 are Agusta ones, which are very rare. The composite tail rotor blades currently are only able to be fitted to the Bell 206. You cannot fit any Agusta parts to a Bell, which has always been the case.
there must be a way of seeing what everyone needs and what could be moved around, allowing for any Bell parts that could be sold on etc.
there must be a way of seeing what everyone needs and what could be moved around, allowing for any Bell parts that could be sold on etc.
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FLB. Not so sure you can ‘move around parts’. My understanding from distant memory
is that once a Bell part is on an Agusta it cannot be removed and then fitted to a Bell.
The part is now effectively scrap ie not legal on the Agusta and not legal on the Bell
because of the Agusta history.!
is that once a Bell part is on an Agusta it cannot be removed and then fitted to a Bell.
The part is now effectively scrap ie not legal on the Agusta and not legal on the Bell
because of the Agusta history.!
Thread Starter
That’s not quite true, if you have a Bell component card then its Bell and can be fitted back to a Bell even if it’s been fitted to an Augusta. You historically could get a form of no objection from AW however post 2006 that’s no longer available
Well, this is the original bombshell letter, way back in 2006.
https://www.caa.co.uk/uploadedFiles/...-004%20(2).pdf
Until that point, the custom and practice was that you could install Bell parts on Agusta Bell machines, but not the other way round. But the industry took a fairly relaxed view of implementing this instruction, hence why we are where we are now.
So I would hazard a guess that the failing -033 blades can only be replaced by -133 blades. I recall though that you cannot purchase new blades now from Bell (and even if you could they were $$$$$s last time I looked), only lease (that correct?). So even if you wanted to purchase a set of -133 blades, then ship them to Leonardo for certification by Agusta, you can't.
https://www.caa.co.uk/uploadedFiles/...-004%20(2).pdf
Until that point, the custom and practice was that you could install Bell parts on Agusta Bell machines, but not the other way round. But the industry took a fairly relaxed view of implementing this instruction, hence why we are where we are now.
So I would hazard a guess that the failing -033 blades can only be replaced by -133 blades. I recall though that you cannot purchase new blades now from Bell (and even if you could they were $$$$$s last time I looked), only lease (that correct?). So even if you wanted to purchase a set of -133 blades, then ship them to Leonardo for certification by Agusta, you can't.
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I was planning to move my AB 206 onto a 2 Reg but wasn’t
aware of the issue mentioned in the above string regarding parts needing to be prior to 2006.
I haven’t tried to make contact with Leonardo but i’d would be happy to work with a group
and contact leonardo.
aware of the issue mentioned in the above string regarding parts needing to be prior to 2006.
I haven’t tried to make contact with Leonardo but i’d would be happy to work with a group
and contact leonardo.
I wonder how long it will be until a AB206 owner holds their maintenance company responsible for fitting non Agusta parts to their helicopters, and asks them to rectify it at the maintenance companies cost.
What about the gearboxes, masts, freewheels, Main Rotor Heads etc that have been repaired or overhauled using Bell parts, do they have to be removed. If so did the overhaul shop have authority to fit them.............
If you bought an AB206 in the last few years, did it have any Bell parts on it, did you have a survey by an engineer to make sure there were NO Bell parts on it.
Glad I sold mine a few years ago, that was a close one.
What about the gearboxes, masts, freewheels, Main Rotor Heads etc that have been repaired or overhauled using Bell parts, do they have to be removed. If so did the overhaul shop have authority to fit them.............
If you bought an AB206 in the last few years, did it have any Bell parts on it, did you have a survey by an engineer to make sure there were NO Bell parts on it.
Glad I sold mine a few years ago, that was a close one.
