What to Expect from Winter Helicopter Maintenance in Montana

If you have your own helicopter, you’ve already discovered the thrill and exhilaration of being able to maneuver your own craft over the majestic scenery Montana has to offer. And with winter right around the corner, you’ll soon be enjoying a winter wonderland view from the sky.

However, before you take off this winter, we’d like to remind you of the importance of doing proper helicopter maintenance in Montana to make sure your helicopter is ready for the winter. Even overlooking a small detail of your helicopter’s maintenance could result in serious complications once you are in the air. To avoid complications, it’s essential that you bring in your craft for a winter maintenance check before the cold weather hits. Here’s what to expect from your winter helicopter maintenance in Montana:

• Battery check: Cold weather can slow down a good battery or kill an old battery. The last thing you want is to have battery trouble when you were all ready for takeoff or, even worse, in midflight. Your battery must be checked to ensure that it can stand up to the cold days ahead.
• Magneto inspection: Cold temperatures can affect the magnetos in your engine. The magneto keeps the ignition independent of the rest of the electrical system to ensure that the engine in your helicopter continues to run in the event of an alternator or battery failure. A magneto that isn’t functioning properly can cause problems for your ignition and even your engine. Checking your magnetos will ensure that your helicopter starts and runs properly, even under cold conditions.
• Compass swing: A compass swing can be a time consuming task, and it’s hard to do it accurately without the proper equipment. It’s important to do a compass swing to ensure that your compass is calibrated correctly to avoid navigation errors. Compass swings should be done frequently throughout the year, so a pre-winter maintenance check is a great time to do it.
• Main and tail rotor balance: An unbalanced rotor can increase vibrations during flight, decrease the life of your engine, and negatively affect your helicopter’s flight performance. Ensuring that your rotor is balanced will not only ensure that you can operate your craft safely and efficiently, but it will also increase the life of your craft. Rotor balances, just like a compass swing, should be done several times a year and are a standard part of a pre-winter maintenance check.
• Oil change: Just like a car, your helicopter needs regular oil changes. During the cold months, this becomes even more important because your oil has to work even harder to keep the moving parts of your engine going. Fresh oil will not only help your engine to run more smoothly, but it can also help your helicopter to start even on the coldest days.

Winter flights over the Rockies can be breathtaking, but only if your helicopter is ready. To ensure your safety and the safety of your craft, call Rocky Mountain Rotors today to schedule pre-winter helicopter maintenance in Montana.

Categorised in: Helicopter Maintenance