VHA

Van Horn Aviation (VHA) has obtained a supplemental type certificate (STC) from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for composite main rotor blades for the Bell 206B JetRanger helicopter, manufactured by Bell Helicopter.

The new 206B main rotor blades, which is similar to VHA’s previous 206B/L tail rotor blades, were approved with an 18,000 hour service life with 2,800 hour overhauls.

The blades were designed by VHA CEO James Van Horn, who flew as co-pilot / flight test engineer during most of the certification flight testing of the blade.

VHA’s 206B main rotor blade features carbon fibre skin and spars, which is a laminar-flow airfoil, and a tapered tip designed by Nasa.

The blade has stainless steel and nickel abrasion strips, which wraps its entire length to safeguard from erosion and lightning strike.

"This STC is the culmination of more than five years of design, prototyping, and testing, including extensive flight and fatigue testing."

Horn said: "This STC is the culmination of more than five years of design, prototyping, and testing, including extensive flight and fatigue testing.

"Our goal was to produce composite main rotor blades that would reduce operator cost and increase durability.

"During flight testing, we saw and felt some improvements in responsiveness with the composite blades compared to the metal blades.

"We believe the JetRanger operators will be pleased with our composite blades."

In January, the company finished the 206B main rotor blade fatigue test, which marked completion of FAA certification testing for the project.

VHA stated it started working on the 206L main rotor blade programme, which will be followed by OH-58 main rotor blade programme.

Image: The 206B main rotor blades have been approved with an 18,000 hour service life with 2,800 hour overhauls. Photo: courtesy of Van Horn Aviation.