A dimensionality reduction approach in helicopter level flight performance testing

Evaluation of the power required in level flight is essential to any new or modified helicopter performance flight-testing effort. The conventional flight-test method is based on an overly simplification of the induced and profile power components required for a helicopter in level flight. This simplistic approach incorporates several...

Autorotation Transfer of Training: Effects of Helicopter Dynamics

This paper analyzes the effects of the helicopter dynamics on pilots' learning process and transfer of learned skills during autorotation training. A quasi-transfer-of-training experiment was performed with 10 experienced helicopter pilots in the SIMONA moving-base flight simulator at Delft University of Technology. Pilots had to control an...

Human-automation interaction for helicopter flight: Comparing two decision-support systems for navigation tasks

This paper investigates the effects of different automation design philosophies for a helicopter navigation task. A baseline navigation display is compared with two more advanced systems: an advisory display, which provides a discrete trajectory suggestion; and a constraint-based display, which provides information about the set of possible...

Eigenmode Distortion: A New Perspective on Motion Cueing Fidelity in Flight Simulation

Eigenmode distortion is a novel quantitative methodology developed to objectively evaluate motion cueing fidelity in flight simulation. It relies on an explicit coupling of linearized vehicle and Motion Cueing Algorithm dynamics. Modal analysis subsequently performed on this coupled system reveals the degree of distortion imposed by the Motion...

Effects of Helicopter Dynamics on Autorotation Transfer of Training

This paper analyzes the effects of the helicopter dynamics on pilots’ learning process and transfer of learned skills during autorotation training. A quasi-transfer-of-training experiment was performed with 14 experienced helicopter pilots in a moving-base flight simulator. Two types of helicopter dynamics, characterized by a different...

A singular values approach in helicopter gas turbine engines flight testing analysis

The process of empirical models evaluation is at the core business of experimental flight-testing data analysis. Accurate and convenient flight-testing of helicopter engine(s) available power is crucial for predicting the total helicopter performance. Common practice in estimation of in-flight helicopter gas turbine engine power consists of a...

Modelling wing wake and tail aerodynamics of a flapping-wing micro aerial vehicle

Despite significant interest in tailless flapping-wing micro aerial vehicle designs, tailed configurations are often favoured, as they offer many benefits, such as static stability and a simpler control strategy, separating wing and tail control. However, the tail aerodynamics are highly complex due to the interaction between the unsteady...

Nitros: An innovative training program to enhance rotorcraft safety

Helicopters are currently used in important applications providing a valuable contribution to society and economic growth. Thanks to their operational flexibility it is possible to accomplish increasingly complex missions. If the expansion of the usage of rotorcraft is to follow the pace of growth achieved by the fixed-wing public transport...