Operators of Bell 206B Jet Rangers can now obtain carbon-fiber main rotor blades with an 18,000-hour service life, more than triple the life of current OEM metal blades. Van Horn Aviation (Booth 10733) of Tempe, Ariz., recently received FAA supplemental type certification for its composite VHA 206B blades.
“This STC is the culmination of more than five years of design, prototyping and testing, including extensive flight and fatigue testing,” said VHA CEO James Van Horn.
The 206B main rotor blades, which list for $79,500 per blade, require an overhaul every 2,900 hours to maintain their 18,000-hour service life.
VHA uses the same carbon-fiber materials and construction methods for its 206B main rotor blades as it does for its 206B/L tail rotor blades, which have been available since 2009.