I Totally Helicoptered off the topic

[Air4Life]

I hope I don't bore anyone...  I receive General Aviation Alerts via email and the part about torque jumped out at me. It reminded me of my previously broadcast failure to appreciate what it means to purchase a 30 year old motorcycle, regardless of how much was claimed to have been spent on routine maintenance:

FAA Safety Team | Safer Skies Through Education
GA Maintenance Alert
Notice Number: NOTC4455

Safety and Security of Components

A review of recent helicopter accidents has revealed a number of improper maintenance practices and techniques.  Contributing significantly to these accidents is the improper safety and security of critical flight control systems, engine systems, and drive system components. In some cases, proper torque was not applied, safety wire or cotter pins were not installed, self-locking nuts were reused numerous times where they lost their self-locking capability, and critical components were removed and reinstalled without following the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICAs).
 � 
A preliminary review as to why these improper maintenance practices and techniques were performed and were overlooked indicates that human factors and failure to follow written procedures are potential factors. Fatigue, time constraints to perform the maintenance tasks, cell phone activity, and complacency were the serious factors related to these accidents. � 
 � 
Click to go to this document to review 11 safety recommendations: https://www.faasafety.gov/files/notices/2012/Nov/GA_Maintenance_Alert_121121.pdf

The ultimate question the pilot or mechanic who performed the work should ask is, “Would I place my family in this aircraft on its first flight after maintenance?” Responding favorably to the safety recommendations in the document will help us answer that question with a resounding YES![/quote][/glow][/font][/size][/font][/font]

[Barry]

"Would I place my family in this aircraft on its first flight after maintenance?”

That's a good philosophy to follow even on a bike. There are a few safety critical items that could lead to a high speed off and fatal results are easily a possibility even close to the ground. The most obvious being anything that results in a wheel seizure and that can be caused by some of the things that tend to be overlooked like wheel bearing maintenance or loose drive shaft bolts.
 
The scary thing for me about helicopters is how totally dependant they are on the tail rotor. If that fails I believe they go into a spin and I guess they don't glide well. The mechanical aspects are pretty complicated too with things like the rotor collective and cyclic pitch mechanism.

[Air4Life]

One of the most insignificant pieces of information I've retained ever since 1983 was from my maintenance instructor at Teterboro, NJ.  He provided a new way of appreciating the hardware on helicopters.  Specifically that  little nut on top of the rotor was referred to as the "Jesus Nut".  If you lost that...  well, you get the idea.

[Bob_Roller]

I've been involved with aircraft maintenance since 1974, it's all I really know .

A lot of what I've learned over the years I apply to my motorcycles and cars .

The quality of workmanship that I've seen over the years on both bikes and cars, by dealerships, independent shops and owner performed work, is quite appalling .

That's why I try to perform as much maintenance as I can, but there are situations that require specialty tooling not available to the average home mechanic .

[Air4Life]

Yes, I can completely appreciate what you are saying.  If there is something I can do myself, I'd much rather do it too.   That's why I need a garage, and soon, or the very least some reliable power so I can at least build a workbench inside the trailer.

For me, my tech. schooling provided me with a great foundation for understanding the basics.  If not for anything else, I needed that to help me feel confident to do what I am doing all these later on my r65.  Hopefully, not effing it up...  But I'm also grateful for the internet, as this too has made this stuff less a mystery.

Happy Holidays Bob, et al.

[Burt]

Hear, hear Bob.  I second all your comments.    

A4L, I have a spare "Jesus nut" in the garage.  Don't know where it came from but I am sure someone is missing one.  

Your control rod confused me there for a 'sec.  Then I remembered - PCL.  

Burt

[wa1udg]

A tail rotor failure in a hover or close to it will probably kill you.  If at speed, the airflow over the bird will "weathervane" it and allow SOME control, perhaps enough to fly it into the ground other than sideways.  Without the ability to counteract main rotor torque, which keeps the helo body from rotating around the main rotor drive shaft instead of vice versa, you really are bleeped at low speed.  Walk away landings in such cases are rare.