This course provides an overview of rotary wing aircraft flying qualities flight testing. The main stability and control subjects are covered through the review of helicopter static and dynamic stability (longitudinal, lateral and directional), including low-speed regime, aerodynamic derivatives and rotor dynamics. The principles and sources of helicopter vibration are also covered. Specific flight test lectures are included for flight controls mechanical characteristics (FCMC), autorotation and helicopter category A operations. Instruction focuses on flight test methods, test planning, data acquisition and analysis. The course includes a mixture of theoretical lectures and tutorials/workshops where students are presented to flight test techniques using simulation tools. Participants are also introduced to civil specifications for rotary wing aircraft (CS27/29), military specifications, specially ADS-33E-PRF, and methods of demonstrating compliance when testing a new or modified aircraft.
Admission: Graduate student standing or permission from the instructor
Topics:
- Introduction to Flight Test
- Reference Systems, Aircraft Modes of Motion and Aerodynamic Derivatives
- Flight Control Mechanical Characteristics
- Rotor Dynamics
- Longitudinal Static Stability
- Longitudinal Manoeuvre Stability
- Longitudinal Dynamic Stability
- Lateral and Directional Static Stability
- Lateral and Directional Dynamic Stability
- Low Speed
- Handling Qualities
- Helicopter Vibration
- Autorotation
- Category A Operations
Duration: 4 weeks academics – optional flying week(s) available on demand at extra cost
The new facility features a 27,000 sq.ft. hangar, big enough to house ITPS’s expanding fleet of aircraft. The administration and classroom building have been extended by 15,000 square feet and feature six additional classrooms, a simulator centre, a state of the art Telemetry Room, additional student facilities and change rooms. The new building features additional briefing rooms, a flight crew ready room and much enlarged canteen area.
CYXU is a modern regional airport 5 nm north east of the city of London, Ontario. The airport is an international gateway airport with direct flights from Chicago and Detroit and Immigration and Customs facilities. It is as of 2009 the 20th busiest airport in Canada, which makes for efficient school operations with little to no delays due to traffic. The airport is south of Toronto and outside the Toronto (CYYZ) FIR and has close access to large sections of Class E and G airspace minimizing transit times for the execution of flight exercises which can be flown up to FL180 on a VFR flight plan but are Controlled VFR (CVFR) with flight control by Toronto Center above 12000 feet. Two dedicated test areas Delta and Juliet a low altitude one to 12000 and a high altitude one over Lake Huron, up to FL350, north west of London may be used by the school under an agreement with NAV Canada, the Canadian Air Traffic Control Authority. The school therefore enjoys a very favourable air traffic environment for its training operations.
