GHTI Vertical Spar Repair Kit Issued STC for ALL UH-1H Aircraft

Huey Fin Spar Repair Kit Update May 3, 2001

The Huey Fin Spar Repair Kit, offered by Global Helicopter Technology, is now approved by the Federal Aviation Administration for all models of the UH-1 helicopter. Supplemental Type Certificates SR09257RC, SR09313RC, and SR09316RC have been issued covering the UH-1A, B, E, H, F, L, P as well as the TH-1F, TH-1L, and the HH-1K.

Global's Fin Spar Repair Kit provides Huey operators with an economical method of complying with FAA Airworthiness Directive 99-25-12, issued against the existing sheet metal fin spar. The original spar suffers from a cracking problem that is difficult to detect and repair. The installation of Global's kit is deemed to be a Terminating Action for the Airworthiness Directive.

The Global Fin Spar kit is a robust design, utilizing high strength solid spar caps in lieu of the existing sheet metal spar. The spar caps run the full length of the spar assembly and are equal size on the left and right side. This feature increases the bending strength of the Global spar by 60% vs. the original spar. The center web, located between the two spar caps, is thicker and stronger compared to the existing web. The Global fin spar assembly eliminates the discontinuities present in the existing spar that have led to cracking at the top of the vertical fin adjacent to the 90 degree gearbox.

The primary advantage of the Global Fin Spar Repair kit is that it is designed to be installed by the Huey operator at their own facilities. The kit does not require use of a tailboom holding fixture. In fact, removal of the tailboom is not required. The Global kit includes special disposable tooling to transfer the existing hole pattern into the new Global spar assembly. Any experienced sheet metal technician can perform the installation, usually in 80 hours or less using typical shop tools. 

At present, over 100 Global Fin Spar Repair Kits have been installed by operators world-wide. The feedback from customers has been overwhelmingly positive. The repair kits include all necessary drill bits and reamers as well as extra fasteners to accommodate variations among aircraft. The Installation Instructions include step-by-step guidance, with color photographs used to show the various stages of installation. Aircraft downtimes average 3-4 days. The repair kits are available for immediate delivery for all models of the Huey.

Kit # VTF-030-800 is usable under STC SR09257RC on the UH-1H, UH-1F, and UH-1P helicopters. Kit # VTF-030-801 is usable under STC SR09316RC on UH-1B, UH-1E, UH-1L, TH-1L, and the HH-1K helicopters that have the cambered fin (P/N 204-031-090-1) installed. Kit # VTF-030-802 is usable under STC SR09313RC on UH-1A and UH-1B helicopters that have the sheet metal fin (P/N 205-030-899-109) installed. The price of any kit is $12,500 and kits can be shipped within 24 hours after receipt of order. A copy of the Installation Instructions can be downloaded in pdf format.

Thank you for interest in the Global Helicopter Technology Fin Spar Repair Kit for the Huey. Global will soon begin certification testing of our new Tail Rotor Enhancement Kit (TREK). This kit consists of our Density Altitude Compensator in conjunction with a Tractor Tail Rotor. The beauty of the Global TREK is that it does not require a tailboom or drivetrain upgrade and offers greatly improved high altitude operations. 

Global Helicopter Technology, Inc. is an employee owned company formed in 1987 as an Engineering Research and Development facility specializing in rotary winged aircraft. GHTI has been involved in several projects for performance improvement for the UH-1 series, including state of the art powerplant installations and development of the revolutionary Tail Rotor Enhancement Package.

For more information on the Fin Spar Repair Kit and other products and improvements currently offered or in development, contact GHTI at 817.557.3391, or email ghti@ghti.net 

To download an Adobe Acrobat file containing detailed information and photographs of the GHTI Fin Spar Repair Kit, please click here.

If you do not have Adobe Acrobat reader, it is available, for free, by simply clicking here.