Fixing apparatus

A fixing apparatus for fixing a secondary component to a fan blade, the fixing apparatus comprising:

• a first clamp part comprising a first inner surface and a second clamp part comprising a second inner surface, the first inner surface and the second inner surface having a profile corresponding to a profile of a portion of the fan blade;
• wherein the first clamp part and/or the second clamp part comprises a recess in the respective first inner surface and/or second inner surface for receiving the secondary component, a corresponding heater for applying heat to the secondary component located in the recess in use, and a ventilation channel extending from the recess to an outside of the first clamp part and/or the second clamp part;
• wherein the first clamp part and the second clamp part are configured to cooperate with one another to clamp the portion of a blade between them in a clamping operation and to hold the secondary component against the blade when the secondary component is received within the recess, and
• wherein the recess comprises a stepped surface, the stepped surface being stepped back relative to the respective first and/or second inner surface.