Robinson Helicopter Company has received FAA approval to extend the service life of the Robinson R22 and R44 main and tail rotor blades from 12 to 15 years.
This “will benefit R22 and R44 owners by reducing maintenance costs and increasing operational efficiency,” company officials said, adding that this follows FAA approval of the limited life extension of specific parts on the Robinson R66 in September of 2024.
By leveraging its testing and data analysis, Robinson Helicopter has demonstrated the extended durability and reliability of its rotor blades, according to company officials.
“This FAA-approved extension ensures that R22 and R44 operators can maintain their aircraft at optimal performance levels while minimizing downtime and associated costs,” they added.
For more information: RobinsonHeli.com
The FAA approval to extend the service life of the Robinson R22 and R44 main and tail rotor blades from 12 to 15 years is a significant development. This extension is backed by comprehensive testing and data analysis, demonstrating the enhanced durability and reliability of the blades. From a technical standpoint, this will reduce maintenance frequency and associated costs, while improving operational efficiency by minimizing downtime. For operators, this translates into lower overall maintenance costs and better fleet availability, optimizing the aircraft’s performance over the extended service life !
But, I see that the cost of a set of rotor blades is $47,000.! So, that’s still $3,000 + per year added to the operating cost….ouch.
Even if it flies 300 hrs a year, that’s an added $100 per hour.!!
oops. it’s only $10 per hr..!! my bad.!
Jim: $47K is roughly the same cost as the old blades so it is like getting 3 more years of use for free. For those of us who only put 100 – 200 hours a year on our helos this is a huge benefit. All the best, David