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VHA Receives FAA STC for 206L LongRanger Main Blades
Van Horn Aviation has received Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SR02684LA from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for composite main rotor blades installed on the Bell 206L LongRanger helicopter. Loosely based on VHA’s composite 206B JetRanger main rotor blades, which were certificated in 2016, the new VHA LongRanger main rotor blades have been approved with a 16,000-hour service life, which is four times the life of the current OEM metal blades.
“Our LongRanger main rotor blades reflect several design changes over the JetRanger blades due to inherent differences in the transmission suspension,” said VHA CEO James Van Horn. “Besides being 22 inches longer than the JetRanger blades, the LongRanger blades also use different carbon fiber layup schedules and leading edge / tip weight distribution.”
The VHA LongRanger main rotor blades have a 16,000-hour service life with overhauls (consisting mainly of replacing the root grips) required every 4,000 hours. While VHA 206B JetRanger blades are still exclusively available through Aeronautical Accessories, Van Horn Aviation is selling the 206L LongRanger main rotor blades direct at an introductory price of $55,000 per blade through December 31, 2018.
“Due to increases in manufacturing efficiencies learned through the last two years of building JetRanger blades, we’re able to lower the price of the LongRanger main blades, at least temporarily,” said VHA President Dean Rosenlof. “We anticipate an increase in 2019 prices, so interested operators should reserve their build positions for 2019 now using 2018 prices.”
Operators can order 206L LongRanger blades directly from Van Horn Aviation by calling 1-480-483-4202 or emailing info@vanhornaviation.com.
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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.
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