Scale Models - View Single Post - Have you ever wondered what happens when the tail rotor goes ?

**wonwinglo** · 21-12-2005

Squiffy said-
'i remmber hearing that rotor blades have a stupidly low lifespan actually on the aircraft!'

Wonwinglo replied-
Yes most blades are now made from composite materials,the continual flexing of these degenerates the structure and integrity of the blade,manufacturers work alongside the airworthiness authorities to set a life limit on the blades.
Recently in Australia some Robinson R-22 helicopters were shedding blades,the reason was that the hours of the rotors had not been recorded in the log books,the helicopters were being used for cattle roundup operations where a probe gives a sharp shock to the animal and moves it on.
But you are right the blades do have a life span,and are expensive to replace.

21-12-2005	#10 (permalink)
wonwinglo Moderator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Warwick,UK Real Name: Barry My Models: Aviation artifacts Visit wonwinglo's Gallery Posts: 5,615 Images: 49	Squiffy said- 'i remmber hearing that rotor blades have a stupidly low lifespan actually on the aircraft!' Wonwinglo replied- Yes most blades are now made from composite materials,the continual flexing of these degenerates the structure and integrity of the blade,manufacturers work alongside the airworthiness authorities to set a life limit on the blades. Recently in Australia some Robinson R-22 helicopters were shedding blades,the reason was that the hours of the rotors had not been recorded in the log books,the helicopters were being used for cattle roundup operations where a probe gives a sharp shock to the animal and moves it on. But you are right the blades do have a life span,and are expensive to replace. __________________ 'And there I was oil on my goggles from a broken pipe,then I looked at the altimeter,all I could see was the makers name !' www.wonwinglo.scale-models.net/