Tim Archer Answers Questions

[bryancobb]

I apologize for being terrible with names. I can't remember who you are 9121U, and since your profile is not complete, we cannot tell where "up here" is.

I'm glad that all 5 ships "up there" have good blades. They WILL crack if the ships don't sit on the ground all the time.

Your statement that "these are not experimentals" is RIGHT & WRONG. Once an aircraft is an orphan, it is NOT practical or financially feasible to keep it in conformance to the Type Data Certificate. Every ship which is in need of a part that is not obtainable "off-the-shelf," or through used parts suppliers, must be EXPERIMENTALLY returned to service by any means allowed by the FAR's. Almost anything can be handled through a 337 and/or field approval.

Having a "one-off" conforming part manufactured cannot be done without factory detail drawings, and even then, it would be cost prohibitive. Having the part "reverse engineered" is also impractical due to cost. No engineer would be willing to accept the liability without being adequately compensated.

What we are left with is, causes us to have to think outside the box. What do you suggest, Mr. 9121U, when one of your outer blades cracks and no used ones can be found? Park it? Experimentally have you some blades made? ???

[Hillberg]

For reskinned blades run the 337 form & data across the FSDO and see what happens- A patch is a major repair but a reshinned blade would be clasified as a minor repair, as per the FARs.

[HELISCAN]

Bryan;

Thanks for that, however, I am taking Patsy back to Mayo today. Hope it want be serious. Happy New Year!!

[G-ATLO]

Hi Guys
I am as concerned as you that we are being left with support free aircraft,and am also amazed that as a Company Brantly has no legal or moral responsibility to their customers.I am stuck here in the UK but have lobbyed the FAA regarding part testing in the past when I had an issue with a main rotor mast.It stated in the manual that if there was any sign of corrosion that could not be removed with a lint free cloth then it would need to be replaced.Mine failed and Brantly refused to sell me one with out the rest of the Transmision ($4000) for mast ($27000) for transmission.I refused and was annoyed and they wondered why.I contacted there supplier( Chicago Aero gear )and they said they would make me a one off but would have to set up the CNC for one item meaning an increase of about $1500.I considered this fair but managed to find one here in the UK eventually.
My point is if we work together enmass we can solve this problem.You need numbers and everyone to chip in with some cash.I personally was lucky enough to buy the last set of Blades from the factory but still think ahead to the next crisis so if I needed blades I would ask Doyle or any past employee who the guy was that made their blades,I remember meeting him and he was very good.Get the drawings then speak to the right person at the FAA explain the situation and ask for special dispensation to manufacture blades and do the same with other items as required.I would work on it if I was not so far away but will help in anyway I can.I would consider for instance buying a tail rotor for the future if someone was trying to get a group purchase together.Anyway hope this inspires someone to collate the information and get things going.As far as I know I now have the only airworthy Brantly here in the UK and I intend to keep it flying.

[9121u]

HI G-atlo how many hours do you fly your brantly a year.how many hours on it.just curious.. happy flying ....tom

[G-ATLO]

Hi Tom
About 30 hours a year at the moment ,but that is about to dramaticly increase as I now live nearer to my parents house where the Brantly is kept.The aircraft currently has approx 1200 hours on it and I believe was the last manufactured by Learjet

[9121u]

THATS pretty cool .I hope to fly my a lot this year,and my friend has a brantly made by Learjet serial# 479.did you have to do 1200 hr inspection on your brantly yet. OK thanks happy flying.......tom

[G-ATLO]

Mines 481, not quite at 1200 yet and an engine overhaul to look to forward to first oh joy!

[9121u]

I believe there is a few brantlys with over 1200 on them that's still working good.mine has tt 2100 but has been gone over with new parts.can you buy any serviceable parts over there.or hard to find.OK keep us posted how your flying goes this year.makes for talk on the forum that's what keeps us going.to here from pilots on what there doing......have fun be safe...tom