Helicopters are expensive because the components that make up a helicopter are costly. But when it comes to replacing some components there are alternatives that can ease the financial pain. Bearing Inspection (Booth No. 1397) is here to explain to helicopter operators how they can save money on the replacement of expensive high-precision helicopter bearings, especially those used in rotorcraft transmissions.
More than 50 years ago, Bearing Inspection launched an aerospace bearing reconditioning service. The company has grown into an 80,000-sq-ft FAA repair station in Los Alamitos, Calif., employing 120 people who inspect, overhaul and test precision aerospace bearings. In October last year, bearing manufacturer Timken Aerospace bought Bearing Inspection, and Timken’s Lebanon, N.H. bearing service operations are being consolidated at the Los Alamitos facility.
The technicians at Bearing Inspection disassemble, clean, inspect, overhaul and test bearings in a process that demands careful measurement of critical parts. A surprising number of precision bearings can be refurbished, and the process is approved not only by the FAA but also by many foreign regulators and engine manufacturers such as General Electric.
Small, non-precision bearings aren’t worth sending to Bearing Inspection, but when some larger engine bearings costing thousands of dollars are due for replacement then bearing overhaul starts to make sense. Bearing Inspection also offers inventory management, rejected-bearing replacement, on-site inspection, engine-kit programs and engineering services.
Here at Heli-Expo, Timken Aerospace Services and Bearing Inspection are showcasing not only bearing services but also Timken’s aftermarket replacement parts offerings for helicopter operators. Timken also purchased Alcor Engine Co., a manufacturer of PMA helicopter engine parts, early in 2004 and has been expanding its replacement parts offerings since then.
The Timken-Bearing Inspection booth features a Bell UH-1 “Huey,” and a new 2006 Harley-Davidson Sportster, which will be given away in a drawing tomorrow. Attendees can register for the drawing by visiting the booth and filling out an entry form. Five finalists will be drawn each day, and on the final day the finalists will try to see if their key unlocks the Harley.
