Sunday, February 19, 2017

So, I’ve heard through the grapevine that some of you like the helicopter stuff I show.  I’ve had fun writing about my machine and showing it off.  I’m glad you enjoy it!



So far, I’ve shown you helicopters when they are all shined up, getting ready to go out on contract, and when they are working out in the bush.  I have something a little different to show you today and it’s a big reason why I haven’t posted in a couple weeks.  First though, what do you do when your helicopter comes home from work sick?


Yep, I have a sick birdie.  My machine was out doing some work in Colorado.  When it came back to the hangar, I could tell something was wrong right away.  The tailboom, which normally stays clean was almost black with soot.  I had my pilot go do a couple of flight checks for me while I got out my charts and graphs.  He came back, gave me all his flight information, and I went to work.  It turns out that the engine developed a problem so it wasn’t making power like it was supposed to.  That is a real issue. 



Remember, a helicopter is not like a car.  If something happens to the engine the pilot can’t just pull over to a cloud and stop.    The engine breaking is a real problem and the safety of the pilot and passengers is my number one concern as a technician.
I spent about three days inspecting different things and doing runs and checks all the while.  I took things apart and I changed components, all the while talking by phone to Rolls-Royce tech reps.  What’s a tech rep you ask?  That is someone who works for the engine manufacturer that is there to help guys like me out in the field.  He specializes in a specific type of engine and knows it like the back of his hand.  He’s a lot like an IT help desk person for you computer types.  Nothing we did would correct the problem, so after talking with my employer the decision was made to remove the engine and send it to an engine shop for repair.  They are the guys who take it all apart and find what is wrong internally.  They have the expertise and tools to inspect much further than I can.
There are several pictures here of the engine coming out and being packed up to go to Pennsylvania.  They have a lot of work to do and not much time to do it.  This bird must leave for Alaska by April 15th.  We’ll make it.




Have you ever heard the old saying ‘when it rains it pours?’  After I got my engine shipped I started doing inspections on other parts of the helicopter.  One of the inspections found that my swashplate had a lot of wear in it.  I started feeling around on it and found several bushings worn that need to be replaced.  I’m guessing that about now some of you are asking yourselves, what is a swashplate?



The swashplate is a component that sits on top of the main transmission.  It is considered a flight control.  The swashplate, through a couple of different bearings, is what controls the movement of the main rotor blades to ‘steer’ the helicopter.  This piece probably has the most stress and wear of any part of the machine.  Not only is it moving control rods up and down for the rotor blades, part of it spins with the main transmission.  It gets beat up daily.  It’s kind of like the central nervous system for the flight controls.  Everything goes through the swashplate.




The hardest part about removing this part is that you must take everything above it off the helicopter to get to it.  The blades came off.  The main rotor head came off.  All of the drive links had to come off.  Then we could lift it.  All of this happened over the weekend so the boss doesn’t have a clue yet.  I can wait for our Monday morning meeting!



That’s okay though.  Like I said, safety is the most important factor in helicopter aviation.  Everything will get done on time and this will be a super nice flying machine again! 
I’ll post again when I can and hopefully show you everything going back together.  While my parts are out, I am hightailing it back to Alaska for a few days.  I need a break and I am ready to see Miss Kitty and Ally again!  See you soon!



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