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Safari Helicopter Construction
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Date:  6-28-2008
Number of Hours:  5.50
Manual Reference:  
Brief Description:  Initial Static Balance of Blades

The blades are mounted to the blade grips after constructing the jig. At this point it is a dry run. The blades are not glued to the blade straps. I picked up some 3/8" and 5/16" fine threaded nuts for the initial balance from the hardware store to use in place of the ones that came with the kit. I didn't want to take a chance in messing the good ones up (the 5/16" nuts have a self-locking feature).

My individual blade weights were real close. The largest weight difference was at the root ends where one blade weighed in at 100 grams heavier. All of the individual blade weights are taken before mounting to the head.

I found that the lighter blade needed (4) thin stainless steel washers placed at the two most outboard bolt locations on the blade straps. I also added (2) standard washers under each button head screw on the tip cap. It's important to conduct the balance in a draft-free area, and it can take several minutes for the blades to stabilize from a see-saw motion once started. I noted the adjustments necessary on the form included at the back of the Rigging and Balance Manual. It's a good idea to somehow mark your blades so you can easily tell them apart. I added a bit of black paint to the stamped serial number impressions on the root ends and added a different colored dot to each root also.

It was much more difficult to to remove the blades from the grips then it was to put them on. You'll need someone to help you carefully lift up on the blade tip to prevent binding on the grip bolts.
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Mounted on jig ready for balance check

Mounted on jig ready for balance check

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Waiting for the blades to stabilize

Waiting for the blades to stabilize

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Using a digital protractor to find level

Using a digital protractor to find level

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