PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-723
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 723
FEBRUARY 2013
24
PS 723
FEB 13
25
PS 723
FEB 13
M
echanics, when you’re working on the Black Hawk tail rotor, put a cover on the stabilator no
matter how carefully you think you are gripping a tool.
Protecting the Black Hawk stabilator from dropped tools keeps your aircraft off the NMC list.
That’s why the cover is important. Even the best mechanics get butterfingers every now and then.
Black Hawk M-models have a folding composite stabilator that consists of three sections.
One dropped tool means you’ll be replacing the damaged section. That’s because there are no
field repair procedures for composite stabilator sections. That’s right, you will have to turn the
damaged section of a stabilator in to tech supply for a trip back to the Depot for evaluation and
repair.
So, gone are the days when you could call the sheet metal shop to do skin patch repairs and
send the aircraft on its way.
Since the new M-model comes with a cover, there is no excuse not to have it in place while
doing tail rotor maintenance.
If you forget the cover and drop a tool on the stabilator, you or your unit will be on the hook
for the replacement cost to the tune of $39K for the center section, and $33K for the left and
right sections.
Now that will certainly hurt somebody’s pocketbook because the total tab for all three sections
of the stabilator cost about $107K.
M
echanics, dealing with the Kiowa Warrior aft fairing can be a headache, especially
when you try to install it without the gap.
Before
you
install
the
aft
fairing, check the Fange to see if
there are burrs, jagged edges or
bends. Use duct pliers to smooth
out and straighten the Fange.
This helps during installation.
When you install the aft fairing
to the engine cowling, try not to
push the cowling’s ±re-proof
strip out of place or the strip will
come off.
Without the protection of the ±re-proof strip, the metal airframe cowlings and the
duct assembly can crack. That allows more heat into the engine area, resulting in an
overheated engine.
So instead of jamming the aft fairing in place and damaging the Fange and the
±re-proof strip, use the gap technique.
When installing the aft fairing, create a
1
/
4
-in gap between the engine pan and the
aft ±rewall ±re-proof strip. Here’s how:
1.±
Unfasten the dzus fasteners on the aft end of the engine cowling.
2.±
Open the engine cowling doors.
3.±
Support the engine cowling doors with prop rods.
4.±
Lift the aft end of the engine cowling to create a
1
/
4
-in gap between
the engine pan and the aft firewall fireproof strip.
5.±
Place the aft fairing in position and slide it into the gap.
6.±
Fasten the dzus fasteners and you’re good to go for the next mission.
UH-60M…
Protect Aircraft Folding Stabilator
OH-58D…
Handling The Gap and Duct Pliers
Ahh, it won’t take
that
long for this
quick fix. I really
don’t need to
cover you.
Dude! You need
to cover me
no
matter what!
I’m
covered
and
ready
to go!
nice job on
installing my
aft fairing.
this time
I handled
the gap,
didn’t I?
Before installing fairing, straighten flange
723 24-25.indd
1-2
12/22/12
3:44 PM
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