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Helicopter Technology Company (HTC) is pleased to announce approval of supplemental type certificate 10073531 for the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This certificate/approval is issued by EASA, acting in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 on behalf of the European Union, its member states and of the European third countries that participate in the activities of EASA under Article 129 of that regulation and in accordance with Commission Regulation (EU) No. 748/2012.
HTC is now offering an upgraded version of their metal main rotor blades for commercial Bell helicopters 204B, 205A, and 205A-1, along with various UH-1 restricted category helicopters. The HTC part number 204P2100-103 main rotor blade is a direct replacement for the Bell part number 204-011-250-113 main rotor blade and an upgrade to the HTC part number 204P2100-101 blade.
The new -103 blade offers a titanium single-piece lower grip plate that is not subject to the current 25-hour special inspection. The existing Bell -113 and HTC -101 configurations have a laminate of aluminum and steel. By changing to the titanium single-piece grip, the possibility of disbonding between the two laminates will be eliminated. The -103 is not subject to the AD 2018-02-07 or AD 2018-02-08 blade inspection that requires inspection every 25 hours or two weeks.
HTC’s president states, “We recognized that an upgrade was needed to the main rotor blade grips. We chose titanium for greater strength and worked to get it certificated and into production for UH-1 operators. This upgrade will provide greater safety and eliminate the need for the AD that was requiring inspections every 25 hours.”
