Maintenance and Modifications
Van Horn Developing AStar Tail Rotor
Van Horn expects its new tail rotor system for the Airbus AStar helicopter family to be available next year.
Van Horn Aviation's new tail rotor system for the Airbus Helicopters AS350/H125 promises better tail rotor authority and lower noise. Flight testing will start before the fourth quarter, with certification expected in 2022. (Photo: Van Horn Aviation)
Van Horn Aviation's new tail rotor system for the Airbus Helicopters AS350/H125 promises better tail rotor authority and lower noise. Flight testing will start before the fourth quarter, with certification expected in 2022. (Photo: Van Horn Aviation)

Van Horn Aviation (VHA) has completed the first ground run of its new tail rotor system for the Airbus Helicopters AS350/H125, with flight testing set to begin in the coming months and certification anticipated in 2022. The system will be able to be installed without aircraft modification and features individually replaceable composite tail rotor blades and a titanium hub with self-lubricating spherical bearings. The blades use the same NASA-designed laminar airfoil as VHA’s Bell 206 tail rotor blades.