FAA Approves Erickson's Composite Main Rotor Blades

Service helicopter operator, maintainer and manufacturer Erickson Incorporated announced that the next-generation Composite Main Rotor Blades have been approved by the FAA. Erickson Incorporated announced that the next-generation Composite Main Rotor Blades have been approved by the FAA. According to the statement, the company built a composite manufacturing facility from the ground up in 2015 to enable close control of blade production. Following hundreds of hours of design, testing and analysis conducted by company engineers and partners, the new composite main rotor blades were approved by the FAA for the S-64E with an initial service life that will increase as fatigue testing continues. CH-54A certification is expected to be completed rapidly in the coming weeks, with S-64F and CH-54B certification scheduled for this summer. CEO Doug Kitani commented on the matter, stating: "The CMRB program demonstrates our commitment to innovation and next-generation programs regarding the modernization of the S-64 Air Crane helicopter and our existing fleet. As an OEM supplier and air operator, the company continues to seek new and reliable solutions that will enable our customers to fly longer, safer and at the best prices." Source: İHA