Canopy for aircraft maintenance

Abstract

A canopy may be attached to two or more blades of a helicopter. The canopy may span between two adjacent blades of a helicopter. The canopy may be modular in design to allow additional canopies to be attached, spanning from the first canopy to the next adjacent helicopter blade. The canopy can be installed and removed by one mechanic and may also provide protection from adverse weather conditions to allow for maintenance to be performed safely and efficiently in a field or flight line environment. Utilization of the canopy may reduce personnel subjected to heat, rain, and snow related injuries.

1 . A canopy system for a helicopter, the canopy system comprising:
 a first blade sock configured to encompass at least a portion of a first helicopter blade;   a second blade sock configured to encompass at least a portion of a second, adjacent helicopter blade; and   a canopy expandable between and attached to the first blade sock and the second blade sock.   
     
     
         2 . The canopy system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first blade sock is permanently attached to the canopy; and   the second blade sock is removably attached to the canopy.   
     
     
         3 . The canopy system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one vent in the canopy. 
     
     
         4 . The canopy system of  claim 3 , further comprising at least one flap covering the at least one vent. 
     
     
         5 . The canopy system of  claim 1 , wherein the first blade sock and the second blade sock each have a fastener on an underside thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The canopy system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one tie down lanyard located at a distal end of at least one of the first blade sock and the second blade sock. 
     
     
         7 . The canopy system of  claim 1 , further comprising slots cut along an outer edge of the canopy, the slots capable of retaining an outer curtain to the canopy system. 
     
     
         8 . A canopy system comprising:
 a blade sock configured to slide over a first helicopter blade;   a blade sock fastener located on a bottom portion of the blade sock;   a canopy having one edge affixed along a length of the blade sock; and   a canopy fastener attached along another edge of the canopy, the another edge being adjacent to the edge affixed to the length of the blade sock.   
     
     
         9 . The canopy system of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a second blade sock configured to slide over a second helicopter blade adjacent to the first helicopter blade; and   a second blade sock fastener located on the bottom portion of the second blade sock, wherein   the canopy fastener removably attaches to the second blade sock fastener to support the canopy between the first and second helicopter blades.   
     
     
         10 . The canopy system of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 at least one vent in the canopy;   at least one flap covering the at least one vent; and   at least one tie down lanyard located at a distal end of at least one of the first blade sock and the second blade sock.