slick1537 Posted October 17, 2009 Report Share Posted October 17, 2009 Hello all, I was wondering if anyone knew about the maintenance schedule for a R44 doing commercial work. I know you need an inspection every 100 hours, but I think you need a different inspection on the 300 and 500 hour marks? Then additionally your annual inspection. Could anyone tell me a ballpark cost of each inspection (that is, the total cost for parts and labor). Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
statler Posted October 17, 2009 Report Share Posted October 17, 2009 New guy on the block. HELLO EVERYONE!!! Not to be critical but I would check with any maintenance shops within reasonable range of repairs and ask them. They are who you will need to write the check to when it is all said and done. I understand getting opinions so you don't get the shaft when you get service work done. But really, do you want to take the word of strangers? I think I would call the Robinson fellas and confirm scheduled repairs. Also your helicopter should have had a maintenance schedule as one of the included books? Not? Happy Flying:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delorean Posted October 17, 2009 Report Share Posted October 17, 2009 New guy on the block. HELLO EVERYONE!!! Not to be critical but I would check with any maintenance shops within reasonable range of repairs and ask them. They are who you will need to write the check to when it is all said and done. I understand getting opinions so you don't get the shaft when you get ser vice work done. But really, do you want to take the word of strangers? I think I would call the Robinson fellas and confirm scheduled repairs. Also your helicopter should have had a maintenance schedule as one of the included books? Not? Happy Flying:) If he didn't want advice from strangers, he wouldn't have posted the question. Futhermore, this forum wouldn't exist if people didn't want advice from strangers. Strangers or not, you will find a lot of well qualified pilots, mechanics, students, and more on this forum ready to help. You can take their advice as the final word or with a grain of salt, but you're not going too find many people trying to lead you in the wrong direction (and if they do, they get called out by others pretty fast.) Welcome to the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delorean Posted October 17, 2009 Report Share Posted October 17, 2009 Hello all, I was wondering if anyone knew about the maintenance schedule for a R44 doing commercial work. I know you need an inspection every 100 hours, but I think you need a different inspection on the 300 and 500 hour marks? Then additionally your annual inspection. Could anyone tell me a ballpark cost of each inspection (that is, the total cost for parts and labor). Thanks! And to the original poster..........R22 and R44 pretty much run on a 100hr maintenance schedule. There's not too many inspections/maintenance that fall on a 50 or 25. There are things that comes due at 300, 500, etc. That includes bearing lubrication, gearbox oil replacement, and a few other minor things. In any case, the Robinsons are very light on maintenance since everything times out at once. There are a few things that will need replacement or adjustment over time--TR pitch links, engine shimming, track & balance, etc. I can't give you a number on what an inspection would cost because it varies quite a bit. A RHC service center will be the most expensive, a mechanic who comes to your hangar will be the cheapest. If you take all the panels off yourself, do the oil change, and basically have everything ready for him, you can probably get off for well under $500. He may not have some of the special tools you need. However, you can go to the service center for that specific repair. Not to knock service centers, but like the car dealerships, they sell the parts too.......just keep that in mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apiaguy Posted October 17, 2009 Report Share Posted October 17, 2009 Yeah, have to second delorean... Do you call the toyota factory when you're not sure what maintenance your car might need? You might, depends on who you are.The helicopter MUST have an annual inspection to be legal to fly... beyond that it depends on what type of flying your doing.To the original poster.... For commercial work... It depends on what kind of commercial work. If the work falls under part 91 (flight training, photo flights etc.) then you only have to do 100 hr. and annual inspections. If you operate part 135 you will have more requirements that will add cost. I'm not a robinson guy, but like delorean said.. alot will depend on how much you are willing to do and who you choose to service the helicopter. Most of the time you try to coordinate a 300hr. or similar service interval with an annual because many items are repetitive or are going to be disassembled at the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slick1537 Posted October 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2009 I am looking at the possibility of setting up a tour company. I don't have any time in the R44 so I don't really know much about their maintenance requirements. I am just trying to get some ballpark figures so I can get an estimate of operating expenses. Deciding if it is feasible is a big thing to do before spending the money on the R44 time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waldorf Posted October 17, 2009 Report Share Posted October 17, 2009 What kind of tour rides are you looking at. A fixed location or weekend rides at local fairs. I have done the weekend rides before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
statler Posted October 17, 2009 Report Share Posted October 17, 2009 Do you call the toyota factory when you're not sure what maintenance your car might need? You might, depends on who you are. I'm not a robinson guy, but like delorean said.. alot will depend on how much you are willing to doand who you choose to service the helicopter. You can not compare aircraft with automobiles! Different set of rules. Aircraft manufactors are required to publish POH (Pilot Operating Handbook) and Service Manuals. The Service Manual will explain when to service what and how to do it. And the owner operators are limited to what they can do. Other FAA rules may apply to commercial operataors as mentioned above. The second sentenceand who you choose to service the helicopter sounds awful familiar. Good luck with your new venture!! I hope it goes well for you!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rotormatic1 Posted October 17, 2009 Report Share Posted October 17, 2009 (edited) What additional maintenance requirements are there for 135 operations? Edited October 17, 2009 by rotormatic1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apiaguy Posted October 17, 2009 Report Share Posted October 17, 2009 I knew someone would bite...You can compare aircraft and automobiles all day if you like... When aircraft were produced in the 50's and 60's there were almost no service manuals... maybe you got a parts breakdown and service info like: step one: "remove rotorhead" step two: "assemble rotorhead" and in another section you had your torque values. Over time lawsuits and the need to have 8th grade intelligence assemble and maintain aircraft the manuals have gotten alot better. Automobiles have manufacturer maintenance manuals as well and are very detailed as well. Just because any Joe can take a crack at his car doesn't mean he should... same goes for aircraft and the reality is that alot of aircraft owners tinker alot more than the law allows. Part 135 air carriers are required to have an appointed maintenance director and a manual that gives details on how the aircraft will be maintained. Part 135 operators are REQUIRED to comply with manufacturers Service Instructions or "Service Bulletins" were as part 91 operators are NOT required to comply with these. An example could be as such: part 91 operator could operate a helicopter with a piston engine beyond recommended TBO legally. Part 135 would have to overhaul as soon as the time clicks the magic number. This obviously adds maintenance costs to the operation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1HeliCFI Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 Slick, Where are you located? I would suggest talking to other local Robbie owners to see who they are using. I am currently finding avg cost of a 100hr for a 22 to be around $900 (plus consumables) on the East coast. I would guess a 44 would be 50% more. I had been using one particular service center but started using others after some unusual costs kept reoccurring. I started by going to the RHC website and calling their list of service centers for prices. Each location should be able to give you a price on a "standard" 100hr. Because I am moving around the Eastern US with this bird finding a A&P to come to me is not a good option. My last 100hr was in the DC area and this next one will be in Houston. I personally find comfort in a service center that works on Robbies all the time. If you find a center that is also a flight school, take a look at their birds on the flight line to get an idea of their attention to detail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rotormatic1 Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 I too knew someone would bite…. If you have a single pilot 135, you don’t need manuals, or management personnel (don’t need no DOM). The only additional maintenance requirements for this type of operation are: § 135.421 Additional maintenance requirements.(a) Each certificate holder who operates an aircraft type certificated for a passenger seating configuration, excluding any pilot seat, of nine seats or less, must comply with the manufacturer's recommended maintenance programs, or a program approved by the Administrator, for each aircraft engine, propeller, rotor, and each item of emergency equipment required by this chapter. That’s all that is required over 91 operations. Overhaul of the engine and rotors, which most Robbie owners do religiously (2200 back to the factory). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
statler Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 I knew someone would bite... What?!! Ha Ha Ha I have never taken my personal vehicle in for an annual inspection. I know I know someone will say well you have to have an emission check to get your license. That may be true but it doesn't pertain to everyone. And certainly law enforcement is more than willing to point out any other irregularities on your vehicle. Maybe even a written reminder. And I know that no matter what someone posts on here someone will find an item to pick apart if they are looking for someone to debate with but, what is the point of that? Lets not get away from the topic at hand. Slick1537 best of luck with planning your business! There are so many variables that no one will give you an exact cost of scheduled maintenance. The condition of aircraft will be a big factor. No matter how well they are maintained they tend to have a few more issues as they age. And because everything is expensive it is likely items will not get replaced until necessary. It is unfortunate but that is the way most people will handle maintenance and the reason why it was necessary to put regulation on repairs. So these people didn't wait to long to replace items using instructions from proper manuals. Apiaguy I agree with you on that one. Good luck slick1537!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slick1537 Posted October 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 (edited) I don't plan to operate under 135, I plan to operate under the part 119 exclusion for commercial sight seeing tours, which I think would technically be operating under part 91. Wish I could read a little more, but I have to get to work. Look forward to hearing any more responses. Edited October 18, 2009 by slick1537 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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