RE: Raptor 30 Main Rotor Blades
Yes, it is a heat shrink covering and it needs to be tight. Just like airplane covering it will loosen over time and need to be heated up. Do not remove it, the wood will soak up all the oil from the exhaust and weaken it and cause it to fail. Some people have removed the covering and treated the wood with a sealent and had good success. After a while the covering will split on the ends and need to be replaced or removed and treat the wood. You will need to rebalance the blades if you treat them. You can just get some carbon or glass blades and save yourself the headache of fooling with the covering.