206 Series Tailboom Strake

[tweaker]

Just wondering what you guy' s think about installing a strake kit on a 206 model? Do you think you will notice a difference?

[splitpin]

Check Bell Information Letters 206L-06-81 And 206-06-92,

Bell Helicopter Warning Concerning the Installation of STC Strakes from Boundry Layer Research

Monday, September 11, 2006 - Bell Helicopter

 

INFORMATION LETTER 206L-06-81

 

Bell Helicopter recently became aware that the FAA issued a Supplemental Type Certificate to Boundary Layer Research permitting the installation of tailboom strakes on the above-identified aircraft. While, Bell has no knowledge regarding the designing and testing of these strakes, the monocoque tailboom structure of the 206A/B and 206L series helicopters was not engineered to accommodate the attachment of extraneous items like these strakes, nor for the additional loads these strakes may impose on the structure.

 

Bell notes that since the aircraft was not designed for such a use, operation with these strakes is outside the operational flight envelope tested for and developed by Bell. As a result, there is, at least as to Bell, a lack of fatigue data, and maintenance or overhaul schedules for any mission other than that for which the aircraft was designed and delivered. Operating the aircraft with these strakes in place could result in unknown and undefined maintenance and inspection requirements and, additionally, render the procedures, retirement lives, etc., contained in the Bell manuals inapplicable.

 

 

INFORMATION LETTER 206-06-93

 

Bell Helicopter recently became aware that the FAA issued a Supplemental Type Certificate to Boundary Layer Research permitting the installation of tailboom strakes on the above-identified aircraft. While, Bell has no knowledge regarding the designing and testing of these strakes, the monocoque tailboom structure of the 206A/B and 206L series helicopters was not engineered to accommodate the attachment of extraneous items like these strakes, nor for the additional loads these strakes may impose on the structure.

 

Bell notes that since the aircraft was not designed for such a use, operation with these strakes is outside the operational flight envelope tested for and developed by Bell. As a result, there is, at least as to Bell, a lack of fatigue data, and maintenance or overhaul schedules for any mission other than that for which the aircraft was designed and delivered. Operating the aircraft with these strakes in place could result in unknown and undefined maintenance and inspection requirements and, additionally, render the procedures, retirement lives, etc., contained in the Bell manuals inapplicable.

 

 

and this:show_mag_1_.htm

show_mag_1_.htm

[Skidz]

Get the feeling BHT is just covering their arses here ?

[Fenestron]

wouldn't you?

 

the first time a tailboom breaks apart Bell wants to make sure they are as far away from the blame as they can be. I don't blame them for taking those steps.

Alot of the maufacturers should make it standard proceedure to cover their arse's when required. You build an aircraft and others modify it, but you get crucified when the rotating fecal disrupter gets set in motion.