Nomad110 Posted June 7, 2013 Report Share Posted June 7, 2013 I was wondering who if any have done the AD on the center windshield for the EC-130. I just did mine since it's in it's 12 year and it was pretty painless. I went with a TechTools windshield that was a perfect fit and a great price at only ~$3400. Total time was about 10 hours but being my shops first one they were taking their time not to damage anything. The shape is noticeably different giving it a bit more of a bulged out look to it. The AD is due within a year so I imagine we will be hearing lots more about this. Those wondering what the AD was about, basically it's about the center windshield being a large structural part of the fuselage. It was found to be flexing under high power settings and in some cases failing all together creating a pretty sticky situation for the pilot and occupants. Here are a couple photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Pig Posted June 7, 2013 Report Share Posted June 7, 2013 Interesting. its more rounded vs flat? seems as if the air flow hitting a flat panel may have been to much. Gives it some character now. Does Eurocopter cover the fix or is that on the owner/operator since it was a design flaw? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helipilotm Posted June 7, 2013 Report Share Posted June 7, 2013 Another example of a manufacture rushing something out the door. That is one of my biggest complaints about the 130, the windows are super thin and structural. Makes no sense to me. About your question... I'm pretty sure eurocopter isn't footing the bill! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nomad110 Posted June 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2013 Interesting. its more rounded vs flat? seems as if the air flow hitting a flat panel may have been to much. Gives it some character now. Does Eurocopter cover the fix or is that on the owner/operator since it was a design flaw?The extra curve might give it more strength but I don't know the engineering behind it. And yea it's my bill. Why should Eurocopter have to pay for it? It's not like they designed it....right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikemv Posted June 8, 2013 Report Share Posted June 8, 2013 Nomad, It is critical to use the proper adhesive for bonding. I am sure your installers did this. Even more so, ensure that the black paint covers all of the adhered to areas for UV protection from "debonding". This debonding issue becomes a preflight and post flight issue. I had to address this issue on my EC120 coming out of the paint shop and in house repaint the black!!!!!! Mike 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nomad110 Posted June 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2013 Nomad, It is critical to use the proper adhesive for bonding. I am sure your installers did this. Even more so, ensure that the black paint covers all of the adhered to areas for UV protection from "debonding". This debonding issue becomes a preflight and post flight issue. I had to address this issue on my EC120 coming out of the paint shop and in house repaint the black!!!!!! Mike Yea that was the first thing they told me. This is why they pushed me to do this now before heading to paint. It's going to paint next. Thanks for the good advise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
500E Posted June 10, 2013 Report Share Posted June 10, 2013 The extra curve might give it more strength but I don't know the engineering behind it. And yea it's my bill. Why should Eurocopter have to pay for it? It's not like they designed it....right?Toung in cheek I hope? who designed \ specified it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nomad110 Posted June 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2013 Toung in cheek I hope? who designed \ specified itI was being sarcastic. It wasn't that bad expense wise...now if they ever force the tail boom modification on us EC-130 owners and we have to send in our tail booms and be down for 6 months I'll be pissed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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