Block Pressure Test

[GB SISSON]

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

Some of the old French Aerospatiale helicopters fixed pressure indicators to the steel tube frames so that they could pressure them up with nitrogen gas. It was a daily requirement to check the BIM indicator for loss of pressure. It will indicate a crack if one forms in a structural part so equipped. They are also used on main rotor blades by some manufacturers.

I know very little about heavier than air craft, but I have heard that helicopters need a reliable drivetrain to stay aloft. I trust what you say about their mechanics.

[D. Jones]

Originally Posted by GB SISSON

I know very little about heavier than air craft, but I have heard that helicopters need a reliable drivetrain to stay aloft. I trust what you say about their mechanics.

As I told my youngest son, a Marine Corps Cobra pilot, there is no bigger collection of parts that, when they are in motion, want to completely disassemble themselves, than on a helicopter. Unlike fixed wing there is no way out if something fails.

[51504bat]

Originally Posted by D. Jones

As I told my youngest son, a Marine Corps Cobra pilot, there is no bigger collection of parts that, when they are in motion, want to completely disassemble themselves, than on a helicopter. Unlike fixed wing there is no way out if something fails.

While having a cold one or two at NCO club in the Army we always gave the airborne guys a hard time about only "two things that fell from the sky, fools and bird shit". That was until a helicopter crew chief added, "and broken helicopters".