Comments on: Main rotor vibrations http://blog.aopa.org/helicopter/?p=632 AOPA's Helicopter Blog Sun, 19 May 2013 23:47:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: wendy http://blog.aopa.org/helicopter/?p=632#comment-1903 wendy Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:22:35 +0000 http://blog.aopa.org/helicopter/?p=632#comment-1903 I was flying a R-22 up to Long Island from PA. Near Teteboro, I heard a whistling sound coming from the main rotor blade. It got worse by the minute, and I made a precautionary landing. Having read about blade delaminations, I was worried it was now happening to me. A three minute flight to the nearest airport seemed like an hour. After landing, I discovered the “never pull down” sicker had started to peel off. I reached up and peeled it all the way off, and the flight continued without problems. I was very impressed how such a small object near the tip of the blade could cause such a loud whistling noise, and increased vibrations. It was a lesson I will never forget. When in doubt set it down, don’t assume the problem will “correct itself” with continued flight.

P.S. Thanks for the great website!

]]> By: Brett Reeder http://blog.aopa.org/helicopter/?p=632#comment-1724 Brett Reeder Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:00:17 +0000 http://blog.aopa.org/helicopter/?p=632#comment-1724 Great article. Thanks for the helicopter related articles

]]> By: Carl Schultz http://blog.aopa.org/helicopter/?p=632#comment-1700 Carl Schultz Mon, 28 Nov 2011 20:05:31 +0000 http://blog.aopa.org/helicopter/?p=632#comment-1700 At about 300 to 400 hours, I experianced unusual vibration in my R44. It was flight tested and the mechanic determined that the blades needed rebalancing and would be taken care of at next scheduled service. I flew off but returned a few flight hours later when the vibration increased to a point where it realy alarmed me…something was not right!
I should have detected the problem on my preflight, but this being my first helicopter, I didnt realize that the loosness (play) was not normal until I landed and compareed it to a another ship. The pitch horn bearings had failed and the bolt was partailly worn through,
When ships talk to you, you had better listen up… and in hind sight, after detecting the loosness, I still didnt realize how serious this was and should not have flown it back to the FBO mechanic that was located on the other side of the airport.

]]> By: Rocky Lee http://blog.aopa.org/helicopter/?p=632#comment-1686 Rocky Lee Fri, 25 Nov 2011 20:52:33 +0000 http://blog.aopa.org/helicopter/?p=632#comment-1686 Good article. Glad to see AOPA discussing helicopter topics.

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