Re: number of rotor blades

Forgive my ignorance, but I need some clarification on your
clarification.  Describe exactly what a 'forging lap' is.  What do I
look for when inspecting a blade?  Can it be seen outright, or is an
X-ray necessary?

Also, I thought that composite blades still used a metal spar.  Is
this not correct.  If not, please describe their construction.

Dennis.

"Bob" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> I WAS THE CHIEF INSPECTOR FOR TRUMPS HELICOPTER OPERATIONS AT THE TIME SO
> YOU CAN TAKE THIS INFO TO THE BANK.  HIS AGUSTA 109 WAS IN MAINTENANCE THAT
> DAY AND WAS UNAVAILABLE.  THE BLADE THAT FAILED HAD A "FORGING LAP": LEFT IN
> THE M/R/B SPAR SINCE MANUFACTURE WHICH CREATED A "STRESS RAISER", EVENTUALLY
> A CRACK, AND THE REST IS HISTORY. For the rest of the commenters,  now with
> many composite blades out there a better record can probably be expected
> although no great inspection methods have yet been developed for composites.
> Metal blades departed aircraft many many times, hence Sikorsky's "BIM"
> indicators on the blade roots.  Hundreds of thousands od pounds of
> centrifugal force and cracked blades will always present a problem, huh?
> 
> 
> 
> 

Dennis Hawkins
n4mwd AT amsat DOT org (humans know what to do)

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