HELICOPTER ENGINEERING & MAINTENANCE.
THE BASICS
What kind of engineering support do helicopters need?
Helicopters operating in harsh environments such as deserts, the tropics or marine environments require considerably more maintenance and more frequent checks / inspections.
Helicopter maintenance in Australia takes place at various specialised facilities, including dedicated maintenance hangars, workshops, and aviation repair stations located at airports and heliports across the country (and sometimes it can take place on site in remote locations!).
These facilities are equipped with the necessary tools, diagnostic equipment, and skilled personnel to perform a range of maintenance tasks, from routine inspections and minor repairs to major overhauls and system upgrades.
Helicopters are complex and dynamic machines. They require regular:
detailed inspections at specified periods
(called periodic inspections)
servicing
Just like motor vehicles, helicopters come in different makes and models and while each one has its own maintenance regime, most commonly require:
a daily pre-flight inspection
maintenance inspections
(similar to motor vehicle service) after 50, 100, 500, 2,000 or 5,000 flight hours; and
complete overhaul or rebuild
after a certain number of flight hours or years.
Turbine Engine Maintenance
Turbine Engines operate on the principle of converting energy from burning fuel into mechanical power. This process involves drawing in air, compressing it, mixing it with fuel, and igniting the mixture to produce high- speed exhaust gases. These gases pass through a turbine, which extracts energy to drive a shaft connected to the helicopter’s main rotor and tail rotor.
Helicopter turbine engines are prized for their high power-to-weight ratio, reliability, and efficiency, making them suitable for a wide range of helicopter applications, from light utility helicopters to heavy-lift and military models.
Piston Engine Maintenance
Piston Engines operate by drawing air and fuel into a cylinder, compressing the mixture, and igniting it with a spark plug. The resulting explosion pushes the piston down, turning a crankshaft that is connected to the helicopter’s main rotor and tail rotor.
Piston engines are typically found in smaller, lighter helicopters used for training, private flying, and light utility roles. They are valued for their simplicity, lower cost, and ease of maintenance compared to turbine engines, although they generally provide less power and efficiency
QUICK FACTS
+ light weight
+ powerful
+ low vibration
+ reliable
+ long life
+ expensive
QUICK FACTS
+ lower cost;
+ heavier
+ require more maintenance
AIRFRAME MAINTENANCE
This includes:
+ structures
+ transmission
+ main and tail rotor assemblies
+ landing gear
+ environmental systems - heating / ac
+ cabin furnishings
AVIONICS
This includes:
+ electrical systems
+ instrumentation
+ communication equipment
+ navigation equipment
+ special mission equipment
STRUCTURES
This includes:
+ sheet metal work
+ composite materials such as carbon fibre, epoxy and kevlar
+ surface refinishing