Frequently Asked Questions

While we enjoy a close working relationship with Bell Helicopter, Van Horn Aviation is a separate privately-owned company and is not owned by Bell Helicopter. VHA has signed distribution agreements with Aeronautical Accessories (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bell Helicopter) that allows Aeronautical to exclusively distribute VHA 206/OH-58 tail rotor blades (Part Number 2062200-301 only). These agreements do not affect VHA 206L main rotor blades (Part Number 2062200-301), 206B3 Version 2 main rotor blades, UH-1 tail rotor blades, or miscellaneous tools and accessories (such as bearings and swaging tools). 

• For 206B/L/OH-58 tail rotor blades Part Number 2062200-301, contact Aeronautical Accessories at 1-800-251-7094 or visit aero-access.com.
• For 206B or 206L main rotor blades, 206B/L/OH-58 tail rotor blades Part Number 2062200-501, or for UH-1 tail rotor blades, visit our Distributors page for a list of authorized distributors.

No. The EASA certification on our tail rotor blades does not extend to the Agusta AB206 model. 

However, for operators who have AB206B helicopters (or 206A that has been converted to AB206B3) using the long tail rotor blades, there is no technical objection to using our 2062200-301/501 tail rotor blades as replacement parts. There have been a few operators who have received field approval through their local aviation authorities to install our blades (in Australia and New Zealand, for example). 

Note that this is the same situation for AB206B operators who want to use VHA 206B main rotor blades Part Number 20635000-501. 

For more information, please email us at info@vanhornaviation.com.

No. After two years of paying enormous EASA fees and submitting documentation with little progress toward what is supposed to be reciprocal certification, VHA gave up our efforts to obtain EASA certification on the JetRanger main rotor blades. We did not seek EASA certification on our 206L LongRanger main rotor blades.

NO. Extreme right pedal pressure on takeoff indicates that the tail rotor is rigged incorrectly. Our installation procedures instruct maintenance professionals to subtract a half degree from standard tail rotor rigging procedures and to remove ALL existing counterweight washers, weight attachment bolts and nuts from the rigging when installing our blades. When the blades are rigged correctly, pilots will input neutral or slight right pedal on takeoff.

Yes, this is normal for VHA 206/OH-58 tail rotor blades.  Our blades are more responsive and require less input. When the blades are rigged correctly, a pilot flying VHA blades doesn’t need to input as much right pedal during takeoff or hover. The different feel can be disconcerting for some pilots at first, but is normal.

No. While you can return your blades to VHA for overhaul if that's the most convenient option, we also have approved several rotor blade repair stations around the world who can overhaul your VHA 206B V1 main blades. Visit our Service and Repair page for a list of VHA approved repair stations. Note that the 206B Version 2 main rotor blades (P/N 20635000-501) do not have an overhaul requirement.

A custom trim tab zeroing tool was shipped with early 206B and 206L main rotor blades to assist operators with MRB trim tab tracking. 

For a "VHA How To: Adjust the Trim Tab" click here to watch a brief tutorial.

Operators who do not have the zeroing tool can call us at 480-483-4202 or email info@vanhornaviation.com for assistance. 

VHA Equipped Stickers are available for free through our sticker request form. They are also included in the documents package of every set of VHA main or tail rotor blades purchased after January 2017.