Specifications

RotorWay International
Exec 162F Maintenance Manual
35
Section 13: Main Rotor Blades
The main rotor blades are one of the key components of the helicopter. Proper maintenance and care of the main rotor
blades will increase their longevity.
The main rotor blades are made from aluminum alloys, and are constructed from 3 pieces: the main spar (C section) and
an upper and lower aluminum skin. The spar is an aluminum alloy extrusion with a series of various heat treatments. The
skins are of T6 aluminum and are bonded to the spar with a high strength adhesive, then riveted. After construction, the
blades are quality inspected and measured at specific intervals. This allows two blades with identical airfoils to be matched
and sold as a pair.
Reference prints: E20-2000, E49-2000
SERVICE NOTES:
1. Check for blade skin delamination using the tap test hammer. Tap along the rivet line (the seam where the skin is
bonded to the spar) the full length of the blade on both the upper and lower skins. You should notice a solid sound
resonating from the blade. Tap repeatedly along the seam listening for noticeable sound changes. If the sound changes
from a solid to hollow sound, the blade skin may have delaminated from the spar at that location and the factory
should be notified.
The tap test should be performed once every 25 hours, every three months, or after flying in violent weather conditions.
A low rotor RPM on the helicopter can cause a wrinkling of the blade skins to the outboard side of the fiberglass
doublers. If these conditions have occurred, contact the factory for further information.
Blade fatigue is very difficult for a new and low time pilot to sense. Listed are some symptoms of blade fatigue:
A. Change in blade droop (while in its static position) from previous inspection.
B. Flight response controls seem sluggish and insensitive.
C. During an autorotation flare the blade will develop a shake that will not stop until collective pitch can be reduced.
D. Blade tracking seems to keep moving in and out and cannot stabilize.
CAUTION: Blade fatigue is a dangerous condition and can result in a serious incident if left undetected.
Newly painted blades can develop paint blisters or have blade paint erosion due to the type of conditions the helicopter
is flown in. This can cause out of tracking conditions or a vibration in the rotor system. Keeping the leading edge
smooth can be done by wet sanding the edge of the blade with 400 grit wet and dry sand paper and feathering the
paint to a smooth edge. Tracking and vibration should return to a normal condition.
2. It is important to keep this bolt torqued to 65-70 ft. lbs.
INSPECTION CHART
PART NO.
E20-3000 Retention Strap Assembly 25 HR 1500 HR/OC
E20-9010 Asymmetrical Rotor Blade 25 HR 1500 HR/OC 13-1
E20-9011 Asymmetrical Rotor Blade 25 HR 1500 HR/OC 13-1
E00-2800 NAS1309-54 (9/16 x 4-1/4) Bolt 100 HR 1000 HR/OC 13-2
E00-3800 AN365-918A (9/16-18) Fiberlock Nut 100 HR 1000 HR/OC 13-3
E20-1400 Elastomeric Thrust Bearing 100 HR OC or 10 yrs 13-4
E20-1401 Elastomeric Thrust Bearing 100 HR OC or 10 yrs 13-4
E20-3170 Tip Weight 25 HR 1500 HR 13-5
E20-6000 Aligner Block Assembly 100 HR 1000 HR/OC 13-6
E20-6180 Pitch Horn Clevis 100 HR 1500 HR
E20-6190 Pitch Horns 500 HR 1500 HR
E00-2522 AN5-30A (5/16 x 3) Bolt 100 HR 1500 HR Torque
E00-2523 AN5-32A (5/16 x 3-1/4) Bolt 100 HR 1500 HR Torque
E20-1220 Aligner Block Bearings 100 HR 200 HR/OC 13-6
DESCRIPTION
SERVICE
REFERENCE
INSPECTION
INTERVAL
R.C.O.