Novel Methods in Helicopter Performance Flight Testing

Flight test engineering is an interdisciplinary science that gathers flight-test data and develops methods with the objective of evaluating an aircraft or an airborne system in its operational flight environment. The need for flight testing emanates as a necessary effort that complements ground-based verification activities such as wind-tunnel...

Understanding the use of automation in helicopters

Helicopters possess the unique capability of hovering stationary in the air and landing with relative ease in a variety of terrain, which sets them apart from fixed-wing aircraft. However, due to operations close to terrain and obstacles, piloting a helicopter can be a challenging task that involves risk of incidents and accidents. One avenue to...

Flight Simulator Transfer of Training Effectiveness in Helicopter Maneuvering Flight

This research aims to advance the state-of-the-art requirements for helicopter pilot training in flight simulators contributing to the rotorcraft safety enhancement framework. It has been conducted as part of the Marie Sk\l odowska-Curie European Joint Doctorate NITROS (Network for Innovative Training on Rotorcraft Safety).<br/><br/>Training has...

Motion Cueing Fidelity in Rotorcraft Flight Simulation: A New Perspective using Modal Analysis

Flight simulators, or Flight Simulation Training Devices (FSTDs), offer great benefits in terms of safety and cost associated with pilot training and certification. To warrant uniform certification standards and to prevent adverse pilot training, (sub)system fidelity requirements are imposed by the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) and European...