Radix Tail Blade Failure

[jamiem]

A couple of weeks back I was flying the Turbine Synergy and all was well. Upon landing and cleaning it down, this was found!



They have been used for about 2 years, no crashes, no impact damage of any kind, and are spotless apart from the cracks on both sides of each blade in exactly the same place. It runs a high head speed, but not really by today's electric 90 standards; 2200rpm. They had no torsional or lateral rigidity what so ever, we were very lucky they didn't break up in flight!

If your running radix tails, give them a good check!

[LaurenceGough]

Aren't they made by Funkey, who produce blades I think for EDGE, Rotortech and perhaps other manufacturers?

Might be worth while for everyone to check tail blades of that age, no matter the brand .

[chris jones2.4]

on my Radix tail blades i found a dent!

[jamiem]

on my Radix tail blades i found a dent!

That means the foam core has been damaged, and there will be greatly reduced rigidity. I'd not use them like that personally. This is one of the main reasons I stopped using radix tail blades; they are expensive and pretty fragile.

[chugga-bug]

One set of tail blades, two years!!!

[GravityKills]

could it be related to the jet fuel?

>> One set of tail blades, two years!!!
I use mine for about two years.
But they start at 105 mm and end at 70

[jamiem]

could it be related to the jet fuel?

>> One set of tail blades, two years!!!
I use mine for about two years.
But they start at 105 mm and end at 70

I guess it's a possibility, but I seriously doubt it. They are a long way back of the side facing exhausts, and the failures look like stress cracks across the width of the blades. I'd also expect to see similar from the main blades if it were from the jet fuel, but they too are the originals and look perfect. The Heli is meticulously cleaned down after every flight, and pre flight checked every flight, along with a proper but and bolt check when at home after a day of flight - the owner is very particular about the way these things are treated! (and rightly so with almost £3k just in the engine!).