Dangerous Stuff

Is there a "proper" tape for protecting the leading edge ? Reason I ask, is
talking to some boy`s that work on WRC rally car`s a lot, They use a thick
transparent about 3inch wide tape to protect bit`s, They call it helicopter
tape and said that`s what it`s original design was for ?
Tim

Rocky
p.s. did you ever use the trick of SaranWrap on the leading edges and
you can just peel off a layer at the end of the day for a clean edge?
Have not tried it on rotor.

I've tried a bunch of stuff on my MR to keep salt from building up on it.
The only thing that seems to work is coating the leading edge with
Corrosion X HD, but you have to do it pretty frequently. My
Jet Ranger used to have a heavy teflon tape on the leading edge, but
Maintenance removed it for some reason that has yet to be explained
to me.

3M makes a leading edge abrasion tape (for planes). I think you can find
it at Aircraft Spruce. I have it on one of my airplanes and it works
nicely
at protecting but its a tad harder to clean than a painted surface and you
have to avoid using degreasers on it.

Bart

"Tim" h wrote in message
...
Is there a "proper" tape for protecting the leading edge ? Reason I ask,
is talking to some boy`s that work on WRC rally car`s a lot, They use a
thick transparent about 3inch wide tape to protect bit`s, They call it
helicopter tape and said that`s what it`s original design was for ?
Tim

Rocky
p.s. did you ever use the trick of SaranWrap on the leading edges and
you can just peel off a layer at the end of the day for a clean edge?
Have not tried it on rotor.

Actually there is a "proper " tape and it's been used mostly for erosion
control by various militarys including or own, I can look up the P/N if
there's a need, don't know all the aircraft it has been on though.

"B4RT" wrote in message
...
I've tried a bunch of stuff on my MR to keep salt from building up on it.
The only thing that seems to work is coating the leading edge with
Corrosion X HD, but you have to do it pretty frequently. My
Jet Ranger used to have a heavy teflon tape on the leading edge, but
Maintenance removed it for some reason that has yet to be explained
to me.

3M makes a leading edge abrasion tape (for planes). I think you can find
it at Aircraft Spruce. I have it on one of my airplanes and it works
nicely
at protecting but its a tad harder to clean than a painted surface and you
have to avoid using degreasers on it.

Bart

"Tim" h wrote in message
...
Is there a "proper" tape for protecting the leading edge ? Reason I ask,
is talking to some boy`s that work on WRC rally car`s a lot, They use a
thick transparent about 3inch wide tape to protect bit`s, They call it
helicopter tape and said that`s what it`s original design was for ?
Tim

Rocky
p.s. did you ever use the trick of SaranWrap on the leading edges and
you can just peel off a layer at the end of the day for a clean edge?
Have not tried it on rotor.

Frank
I'd like to see it. Will ask our shop if they use it on any of the ag
machines. The sandy soil here in spud country is really tough on
blades. I imagine not as bad as Iraq though!
Company has several WASP's and I took a look last week. Look nice and
sound like performers. My engine is due this winter if it lasts the
season.....
Another 12 hr in the cockpit yesterday and probably 8 today to get
caught up.
Cheers
Rocky

OK, I'll dig up a MFG and P/N, maybe there's an approval for the 47 series,
if not you would have to get an approval for the mod, should be easy, just
tell the DER what you would like to do n why, cite your research (documented
uses) write a procedure for application of tape, balance, interchangeability
maybe continues maintenance and stand back, DER does the number crunching
and forwards it to the FAA.

wrote in message
oups.com...
Frank
I'd like to see it. Will ask our shop if they use it on any of the ag
machines. The sandy soil here in spud country is really tough on
blades. I imagine not as bad as Iraq though!
Company has several WASP's and I took a look last week. Look nice and
sound like performers. My engine is due this winter if it lasts the
season.....
Another 12 hr in the cockpit yesterday and probably 8 today to get
caught up.
Cheers
Rocky

Be careful with the tape, if it starts coming off life can get
interesting - if you think dirty blades are bad, you haven't seen
anything yet. Just keep an eye on it & replace it before it starts
wearing through the leading edge.

I've used it on Bell 47's & Hiller 12's - can't tell you if it was
"approved", but it definitely saves wear & tear on the blade. You'll
want to have the exact same length on both blades in the exact same
location, or you'll be rebalancing...


On Wed, 13 Jul 2005 00:01:07 GMT, "Franklin Newton"
wrote:

Actually there is a "proper " tape and it's been used mostly for erosion
control by various militarys including or own, I can look up the P/N if
there's a need, don't know all the aircraft it has been on though.

Brett
Had the same thoughts. We used it for a while in ag work in CA but it
was such a pain to redo all the time and YES it can get exciting if you
shed some tape....!! However, if it can save blades in a really harsh
environment it is worth serious consideration. I like to use plan old
carnuba wax on them once a week or so. Extra work and hard on the
shoulders but well worth the effort when working off the truck.
Rocky