R44 Astros worth less!
 

RHC has now admitted that from end of first quarter of 2012, they will no longer produce main rotor blades and cyclic stick assemblies for non-hydraulic R44's.

Guess many owners will not be too impressed! Make sure you don't damage your blades from now on.:ugh:

Make sure you don't damage your blades from now on.:ugh:
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Unless they come off, :{ or delaminate on their own, :confused: as they a prone to do.
Live dangerously, fly a robo :eek:
Good Luck & Happy Landings.
VF

I thought there were laws that stated they have to. As what happened when Bell were going to stop producing parts for the 47..

Well, they are not saying that they will not support the Astro, just that you have to send them back to the factory and have hydraulics fitted for US$40,000 plus a set of new blades!:eek:

Noah might have some Astray blades on the arc....:ok:

The Robinson product.
 

If this information is true then it confirms my thoughts about the Robinson products. Cheap throw away items that devalue like a used Durex.

I still cannot understand why so many people are hooked by the product as being cheap but good helicopters. Worse still there are those that rate these on par if not better than the good ole Jetranger. Never.

If I want new blades for a 1978 B206 for example then Bell will sell me a set no problem! A 1978 B206 B3 is still worth £220 - £260k more than 30 years on. A 1998 Astro is no more than a gate guard!

All it means is that there will be a mandatory upgrade to Raven I standards...

Has been that way for a few years if you sent your Astro to Robinson for the overhaul, you'd get back a Raven I, and obviously have to pay for the add ons as well..

Cheers
H.

Un rebuildable Astro's
 

Winnie,

I appreciate that point but I cannot think of another helicopter manufacturer that forces you to upgrade your helicopter at extra cost after only 12 years.

12 years in aircraft terms is nothing. For many a 12 year old helicopter is not far off new.

To be told that your Astro is un rebuildable unless upgraded to latest spec is crazy. A great money earner for Robinson granted but not good for the owner.

When you look at these Robinson cons it does make you wonder whether it was Frank Robinson's ploy all along to capture the inexperienced owner with a sales pitch about how cheap it is to run then kick them in the b***ocks after they bought one.

Owned two R44's over the years, things just keep getting worse. After the costly fuel tank SB and blade AD's won't own another.

Emailed the factory last month re Blades, they stated that they would be supplying blades for the Astro for some time!

R22 & R44 blades
 

Guys,

What are the prices of R22 and R44 blades these days?

CRAN

Cran, R44 main rotor blades - $25000 each including spindle !

Robinson Rotor Upgrade
 

Given the high prices and the lack of customer satisfaction do people think there is a market for long life, high inertia, improved aerodynamic performance blades from an aftermarket supplier?

I'm thinking along the lines of what Carson did for the commercial Sikorsky S-61's.

Comments appriciated?

Cran

Oh dear...:ooh:

Claudia, I think that makes R44 blade costs roughly equate to B206 TT straps - assuming you can average 5 years a set!

straps
 

Bell aparently give you a discount if the straps have not done 1200 hours within the 2 year limit. Don't know if that is something Robinson practice.

Why doesn't anyone come up with an STC for the TT straps and sell them for far less? It can't be that hard to get that done - external companies have STC's for blades and rotors and god knows what else..

TT Straps

Apple International Inc. - Buy T T Straps - 206Bell.com

STC straps
 

Airwolf company supply straps for the 206.

A bit cheaper than Bell but still a lot of money throwing a way a barely used part every two years. Be interesting to see if their 36 month life comes to be. That extra 50% would be very nice.