System and method for adjusting helicopter blade trim tabs

A system for use in adjusting the trim tabs of a helicopter rotor blade, said system comprising:

• a housing;
• a dial indicator secured to said housing, said dial indicator having an indicator rod;
• means attached to said housing for securing said housing to a helicopter rotor blade having trim tabs, said securing means adapted to position said dial indicator so that said indicator rod rests on said trim tabs in order to indicate the angle at which said trim tabs are oriented;
• and
• bender means for adjusting an angle at which said trim tabs are oriented and adapted to be secured to said trim tabs in spaced relation to said gage means and straddling said indicator rod.

A method for adjusting the orientation of trim tabs on a helicopter rotor blade, said method comprising the steps of:

• calibrating a gage;
• applying said gage to a helicopter rotor blade;
• rolling said gage along said helicopter rotor blade to a position where trim tabs at said position require adjustment;
• applying a bender to trim tabs at said position on said helicopter blade in spaced relation to said gage, said bender having a handle;
• adjusting the orientation of said trim tabs at said position with said handle;
• and
• verifying said adjustment using said gage.

A system for use in adjusting the trim tabs of a helicopter rotor blade, said system comprising:

• gage means adapted to be applied to a helicopter rotor blade having trim tabs for indicating an angle of said trim tabs;
• bender means adapted to be secured to said trim tabs in spaced relation to said gage means, said bender means for adjusting said angle;
• a gage calibration plate;
• and
• means mounted to said gage calibration plate for holding said gage means in a position simulating a rotor blade with trim tabs oriented at zero degrees.

A system for use in adjusting the trim tabs of a helicopter rotor blade, said system comprising:

• gage means adapted to be applied to a helicopter rotor blade having trim tabs for indicating an angle of said trim tabs, wherein said gage means includes
• a main tool plate,
• a hinge attached to said main tool plate, and
• an extension arm attached to said hinge, and
• bender means adapted to be secured to said trim tabs in spaced relation to said gage means, said bender means for adjusting said angle.