Dedicated to Repairing Sikorsky Rotor Blades

ABS started in June 1994 doing S-55 & S-58 blades.

History

1998 - Pemco needed a shop to complete H-3 blade repairs for an Egyptian contact.

History

March 29, 2001 - ABS became U.S. Navy qualified for support of the H-3 fleet.

Present

ABS is currently repairingS-61/H-3

CH-54/S-64 Skycrane UH-60 BlackhawkWestland SeaKing

S-55/S-62/S-58

FAA Authorizations

Authorizations

Main Rotor Blades

Spar corrosion is dressed out & area cleaned up.

Main Blade Repair

Blade is X-Rayed for further hidden damage and defects.

Main Blade Repair

The cuff is removed and area is cleaned before X-Ray.

Main Blade Repair

Pockets are installed using an alignment fixture. A computerized controller system

runs the heater bars.

Main Blade Repair

Replacement nickel leading edges are installed.

Main Blade Repair

Cuff installation.

Main Blade Repair

Bolt holes are machine reamed to .0002 ” pinch fit.

Main Blade Repair

S6115-20201-1 or -2 converted to -3Counterweights being changed.

Main Blade Repair

Blade is painted to operator’s colors and specifications. Stenciling is completed.

Main Blade Repair

Helium leak detection unit used for final QA of BIM System.

Main Blade Repair

Static Balance using Electronic Balancer

Main Blade Repair

Tail Rotor Blade

New pocket being installed in ABS designed and built fixture.

Tail Blade Repair

New nickel abrasion strip installed on spar.

Tail Blade Repair

Damaged spar attachment bolt holes.

Stainless steel bushings installed.

Tail Blade Repair

Paint applied according to specifications.

Tail Blade Repair

Blades are balanced using Electronic Balancer.

Tail Blade Repair

Westland Honeycomb Tail Blade Refurbishment.

Typical leading edge damage

Westland Honeycomb Tail Blade Refurbishment.

Total dis-assembly and inspection of spar prior to buildup

Westland Tail Blade after Bonding

Westland Tail Blade Completely Assembled

Westland Composite Main WD01-29-90250

Westland Composite Main WD01-29-90250Paint Removal

Westland Composite Main WD01-29-90250Repainted and Balanced

Westland Composite Main WD01-29-90250Balance Difference

Incoming After Re-Paint

Weight 212.3 lbs. 210.2 lbs.

Span Moment 37,077 “lbs. 36,600 “lbs.

Chord Moment 976.9 “lbs. 963.4 “lbs.

Blade had been repainted 4 times. Found 3 sets of stencils

This why you do not have interchangability between blades

BalanceDynamic vs Static

Is it Necessary?

Dynamic is essentially the same as ground runs.

Cannot simulate forward airspeed.

Really all it does is give you a track number to start from.

Westland Composite Main WD01-29-90250

Typical erosion damage to leading edge.

Westland Composite Main WD01-29-90250

8’ Nickel abrasion strip installed.

PROBLEMS

Cracks radiating from bolt holes. BIM indicator caught this problem.

Corrosion on spar under cuff.

Corrosion on spar under abrasion strip

Problems

Westland built pockets.

Problems

Westland built pockets.

Problems

Corrosion damage caused by prolonged storage in a humid environment.

Problems

Do not stop drill pocket skin cracks.Drill bit went thru skin into spar.

BLADE SCRAP.

Problems

Internal borescope inspection along with an X-Ray is conducted looking for Corrosion.

Problems

Water damage to honeycomb tail blade.

Problems

Abrasive blast damage to pocket skin during paint removal.

Problems

Maintenance Tips

Repainting the blade causes the blade to be out

of balance.

Touch up paint only.

Replacement O-rings MS 28775-6 BIM Indicator and Shrader Valve

BIM System Maintenance

Never - Never - NEVER! Put a wrench on nuts or bolts to check

torque. Breaks the seal and causes a leak.

BIM System Maintenance

1. Believe the indicator.2. Replace with serviceable one if suspect

indicator.3. Conduct 30-second test to verify operating

correctly. Full color change to red within 30 sec.

BIM System Maintenance

Storage Help

Consider the life of the blades during storage.A lot of damage occurs during prolonged

storeage.

Clean and wipe down with preservative. Wrap up to protect.This one is scrap.

Storage Help

Bushings installed in spar attachment holes.

Repairs

ABS initiated nickel plated tip cap repair on Westland Seaking tail rotor blade.

Repairs

Dedicated to Repairing Sikorsky Rotor Blades