Heard the term jesus bolt and was wondering where it was and what it is? Thanks, Bud

I believe people refer to the single bolts that hold the rotor head onto the main shaft and, to a lesser extent, the main gears.

I think it comes from the full size helicopter world where if the single bolt holding the rotor head on fails then its pretty likley to be the last flight the pilot ever makes - hence the religeous reference.

Rich

Got it. Thanks

It's also generally know as the bolt that if it fails, most people that witness this say "Jesus!"

Originally Posted by Roto Rob

It's also generally know as the bolt that if it fails, most people that witness this say "Jesus!"

I thought it was more like "if that bolt fails, you're going to see Jesus" from back during the vietnam era (Hueys)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_pin

Jesus saves. It's hard to argue with that logic on a heli. It saves a lot of stuff if you crash.

Originally Posted by heli_newbie

I thought it was more like "if that bolt fails, you're going to see Jesus" from back during the vietnam era (Hueys)

No one rides in my RC heli but it still has a Jesus bolt.

"In case of Rapture, this heli will be un-manned"

The Wiki article pretty much got it all.
It is part of the preflight checklist. On the UH-1 Huey, the nut and its safety wiring is something that gets a careful check. It sits on the very top of the mast and literally holds the blades and all the other stuff on. They have been know to have failed in flight. No idea where the name came from, but is common term among heli pilots.