Sikorsky S-76 Flying Qualities

The Sikorsky S-76, an augmented rotary wing aircraft, allows the instructor to change flight control modes between Stability Augmentation System, Attitude Hold and the un-augmented aircraft to demonstrate how these different modes affect the handling qualities and the ability of the flight crew to perform various role-related manoeuvres. Before testing an aircraft, it’s vital to understand the specific role for which the aircraft is being evaluated. This understanding allows for the design of specific flight tasks that allow the test team to evaluate the aircraft’s handling qualities in a mission-representative environment. The performance achieved whilst conducting these manoeuvres is evaluated using the Cooper-Harper Handling Qualities Rating (CHR) scale to determine the aircraft’s suitability for its intended role. Designing these manoeuvres and defining the desired and adequate performance criteria are essential skills for flight test professionals. At ITPSCanada, these skills are developed over a series of flights that cover both low-speed and forward flight regimes in a variety of fixed and rotary-wing aircraft types.