1510 W. Drake Drive, Tempe, Arizona USA 85283

info@vanhornaviation.com
Van Horn Aviation | Composite Rotor Blades
Van Horn Aviation | Composite Rotor Blades

In Development

OUR PRODUCTS

PRODUCTS IN DEVELOPMENT

Van Horn Aviation engineers continuously work on new products to meet the needs of the growing rotorcraft industry. We do nearly all engineering, prototyping, testing, and conformity in house while working with the FAA and industry experts to certify the products. It’s a long process, but by keeping most of the control in-house, we can shorten the process with rapid prototyping, computer modeling, component testing, and iterative flight-testing during development.

products in development and their current status

AS350 Tail Rotor - FAA CERTIFICATED!

  • Prototype tail rotor blades constructed May 2021
  • Prototype hub assembly completed June 2021
  • Initial ground runs of hub and blade assembly June 2021
  • Initial hover and forward flight tests started October 2021, continuing through 2022

  • VIEW MORE

    • Flight testing of conformed blades in 2023. See video here.
    • Completion of acoustics and fatigue testing in late 2024
    • Received Type Installation Authorization (TIA) in late 2024. All documents submitted to FAA for certification.
    • Received FAA STC/PMA in February 2025 for AS350 models MTOW up to 4960 lbs
    • Starting Amended STC certification program for AS350B3e models MTOW up to 5225 lbs in Feb 2025
    • Applying for Canada, Brazil STCs Feb 2025

206 Series TRB -501 - FAA Certificated

Application submitted for Transport Canada validation November 2021. As of December 2024, certification effort stalled by bureaucratic impasse. No certification for these blades is expected at this time. Canadian operators must continue to use the 2062200-301 Tail Rotor Blades.

OH-58 Main Rotor Blade -Preparing for Flight Test

  • Initial design completed; tooling and prototyping in progress in December 2021.
  • Layup of prototype in 2023.
  • Blades redesigned based on input from other programs. New prototypes in progress as of December 2024.
  • Test aircraft obtained February 2025. Initial flight testing scheduled for 2Q 2025.

Tracking Wedges

  • Submitted to FAA for approval in late 2021. Received approval in mid 2022.
  • Beginning with select August 2022 deliveries, metal trim tabs were eliminated on 206B main rotor blades to be replaced with tracking wedges, which will provide a more efficient track and balance experience.

  • VIEW MORE

    • Tracking wedges were rolled out for 206L main rotor blades in November 2022.
    • Tracking wedge kits will be supplied with each set of tabless rotor blades, along with instructions on how to install the wedges. Click Here for a How-To video to demonstrating installation of the wedges. Customers will also be able to retrofit VHA 206B and 206L main rotor blades with the tracking wedges.

Contact us to elevate your operations!

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