HTC offers upgraded metal main rotor blades for Bell helicopters
Helicopter Technology Company (HTC) is offering an upgraded version of its metal main rotor blades for commercial Bell helicopters
The helicopters include the 204B, 205A and 205A-1 along with various UH-1 model restricted category helicopters. The HTC part number 204P2100-103 main rotor blade is a direct replacement for the Bell Helicopter Textron part number 204-011-250-113 main rotor blade and an upgrade to the HTC part number 204P2100-101 blade.
The new -103 blade offers a titanium single-piece lower grip plate that is not subject to the current 25-hour special inspection. The existing Bell -113 and HTC -101 configurations have a laminate of aluminum and steel. By changing to the titanium single-piece grip, the possibility of disbonding between the two laminates will be eliminated.
Gary Burdorf, President of US-based HTC, said: “We recognized that an upgrade was needed to the main rotor blade grips. We chose titanium for greater strength and worked to get it certificated and into production for UH-1 operators. This upgrade will provide greater safety and eliminate the need for the AD that was requiring inspections every 25 hours.”
Installation of this blade is fully interchangeable and covered by FAA supplemental type certificate number SR02492LA.
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