Goldy Posted January 11, 2014 Posted January 11, 2014 Robinson now requires R22's to get fuel bladders at their next overhaul. About a 10K option after taxes and installation. http://www.robinsonheli.com/service_library/r22_service_bulletins/r22_sb109.pdf 1 Quote
rotornut67 Posted January 13, 2014 Posted January 13, 2014 Yep, saw plenty of them on the shelves at the factory last fall, knew it was coming down the pike. Why is beyond me...but I guess I need to add a few more $ per hour to my overhaul fund huh? Quote
Retreating Brain Stall Posted January 13, 2014 Posted January 13, 2014 http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8684694 Now I'll consider flying a robinson product in the future- glad to see the wrong being righted. Quote
Goldy Posted January 15, 2014 Author Posted January 15, 2014 http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8684694 Now I'll consider flying a robinson product in the future- glad to see the wrong being righted. Not sure I know of many post crash fires with the R22....the R44 absolutely. But dropping a fuel tank by itself onto the ground is a bit different than a fuel tank built within a steel structure, with skids designed to spread and absorb some of the shock load, and a steel cage under the tanks... I bet if I dropped some of the fuel tanks in cars today that way, they would rupture as well..... Anyway, there is no doubt that both birds will be safer with bladders than without them. But like many safety features, it comes with an added price. Quote
Retreating Brain Stall Posted January 15, 2014 Posted January 15, 2014 Not sure I know of many post crash fires with the R22....the R44 absolutely. But dropping a fuel tank by itself onto the ground is a bit different than a fuel tank built within a steel structure, with skids designed to spread and absorb some of the shock load, and a steel cage under the tanks... I bet if I dropped some of the fuel tanks in cars today that way, they would rupture as well..... Anyway, there is no doubt that both birds will be safer with bladders than without them. But like many safety features, it comes with an added price. (granted this drop test is on grass vs pavement and successful from 5 & 10 meters and not demonstrated at 15 meters). I do agree built within a steel structure and other designs to absorb energy but they provided strong evidence in the 60 minute video that is convincing and now we are seeing final actions on the manufactures part to comply with the issue to make them safer. Definitely safer with bladders but unfortunately at the added cost which is shamelessly passed on to the customer and not absorbed by Robinson since it is a mandatory requirement now. The mighty $ continues to show who is in charge:( Quote
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