FAA Approves Van Horn‘s Tail Rotor Replacement for Airbus Helicopters AS350 | Aviation International News

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FAA Approves Van Horn’s AS350 Tail Rotor Replacement

Retrofit tail rotor solves problems posed by the OEM's elastomeric bearings

Van Horn Aviation tail rotor for Airbus AS350 — Van Horn Aviation received Supplemental Type Certification (STC) and Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) from the FAA for its tail rotor for the Airbus AS350.

By Hanneke Weitering • Science & Technology Editor

March 9, 2025

Van Horn Aviation has received an FAA supplemental type certificate and parts manufacturer approval for its retrofit Airbus Helicopters AS350 tail rotor. The tail rotor replaces the AS350’s spar-and-paddle with two composite tail rotor blades attached to a steel hub with self-lubricating spherical bearings.

According to Van Horn, its tail rotor solves maintenance issues associated with the elastomeric half-bearings in the standard AS350 tail rotor and eliminates the associated inspections and replacements. Van Horn’s replacement tail rotor serves as an alternate means of compliance for four airworthiness directives.

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