Position: Blade Fabricator
Reports To: Director of Operations
Status: Non-Exempt




BASIC WORKER FUNCTION:
Assembles, aligns, and bonds blade parts, prepares sheet metal parts and sets up and operates blade bonding fixtures and equipment to bond blade sections together and harden bonding agent to manufacture helicopter main rotor and tail rotor blades, according to blueprints, shop orders, and specifications using blade shop tools and equipment.

ADDITIONAL GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF
TASKS:
Fabricates blade parts according to process specifications and operations. Aligns in bonding fixtures. Assembles parts as required. Irridite blade parts. Route spars. Twists blade spars. Drills and fits main rotor tips. May assist on blade milling machine as required.
Prepares blade parts for bonding process according to process specifications. Examines spar and skins for surface defects. Eliminates surface defects. Lays out bonding tape for inside doubler positioning, clamps in and sets timer. Positions blade parts in bonding fixture, and using clamps, sets proportioning tension. After authorization from Inspector, sets temperature and time. As required, using scribe line, files to proper blade width. Locates and bonds outside doubler, retention plate, and drag link fitting, using locating fixtures. Installs leading edge filler block and trim tab with rivets, using locator fixtures. Balances and classifies blades. Installs lead weights in blade tip when necessary. Records specific weight of blades. Keeps records on blades as required. Twist spars to proper number of degrees. Examines blades to assure specifications are met. Maintains machines and equipment used.
Trains other workers. Serves as consultation resource with other workers. Observes all safety regulations. Other duties as required.



REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Must be certified to make blades in 3 weeks.
Knowledge of proper amounts, levels, and process in application of bonding agent, temperature, and pressure required to bond blades.
Ability to regulate equipment in blade shop.
Ability to operate doubler fixture and blade bonding fixture.
Ability to work from shop orders, blueprints, and specifications.
Ability to keep required records.
Ability to use Blade Shop tools and Sheet Metal equipment, such as drill press, routers, sanders, hand drills, arbor press, rivet shaver, and rivet gun.
Ability to use time proportioning controllers and potentiometers.
Ability to read and use protractor.
Ability to utilize basic shop mathematics.
Ability to work with minimal supervision.
Ability to independently troubleshoot and problem solve.
*Also must be able to meet personal tool requirements.