Van Horn Aviation | Composite Rotor Blades

Sedona Air Tours Adds VHA Mains

Based in the scenic Arizona town that gives the company its name, Sedona Air Tours operates a fleet of four fixed-wing aircraft and five helicopters. After flying VHA tail rotor blades on their 206B3 JetRanger in the noise-sensitive area for several years, they were ready to bolt on the new VHA 206B main rotor blades. The work was performed by Flight Trails Helicopters at Falcon Field in Mesa, Arizona, in March 2018.

Since our engineers and maintenance personnel were also out at Falcon Field for 206L main rotor blade flight testing, we offered to give Flight Trails our support for track and balance. It turns out that help was not needed as it was a “zero move” installation. Other than adding weight during static balance and ensuring the trim tab was set to zero degrees, no modifications were needed.

Flight Trails pilot Mike Poole and Sedona Air Tours representative Dennis Valdez conducted the ground tests and initial track and balance flights. VHA customer service rep (and JetRanger pilot) Josh Eastlee accompanied the duo on their initial off-airport flight.

“Loaded with three people and full fuel, it climbed like an angel,” said Poole after the flight. Valdez concurred, adding, “it felt smooth, right out of the box.”

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AD Compliance Reminder for Certain 206L MRB Operators

By Kim VHA • April 25, 2025

For 206L LongRanger operators flying P/N 20633000-101 serial numbers A007-A009 or A012-A104, we would like to remind you that these blades are subject to AD 2022-22-08, which requires recurring tap inspections every 400 flight hours or 2,400 engine starts, whichever comes first. You can learn more about the tap test requirements and procedure in our video . These blades are likely to develop a delamination in the area of the weight pocket on the lower surface of the blade. The AD further requires removing the blades from service if the delamination reaches 6 inches in length. However, extensive company testing indicates that all blades will likely achieve their full retirement life before that occurs. So long as the delamination is monitored and does not exceed the permitted length, the blades are entirely safe to fly with no adverse effects on aircraft behavior or performance. Operators are required to report their findings at every inspection interval to VHA for tracking using the form on the last page of Service Bulletin 33000-4 . Completed forms should be emailed to info@vanhornaviation.com . Providing this data helps to ensure all operators of these blades remain safe. All of the identified blades are likely to have delaminations, so if none are detected please contact us for assistance. In addition, this AD is considered an interim action and once sufficient data is gathered it may be updated to reduce the required frequency of inspection. Refer to AD 2022-22-08 and SB 33000-4 for further information.