Adverse Weather Tests of the HH-53C Helicopter
Abstract
Instrumentation and thermocouples were installed to record basic flight parameters and to pick up temperature variations in HH-53C helicopter for evaluation during all phases of operation in actual and simulated adverse weather. Eighteen missions were flown for a total flight time of 31 hours and 15 minutes. The HH-53C gave a safe performance in both running takeoff and hovering takeoff; and cruising flight in instrument conditions presented no undue hardships. This helicopter provides a large amount of IFR instrumentation and several approach airspeeds for instrument landing, and characteristically displayed satisfactory handling and control in instrument flight, with reasonable safety and recovery capability in case of subsystem failure. Tentative procedures and comments by pilots were used in accomplishing instrument and missed approaches. Practice touchdowns up to 60 knots were made. Takeoffs and landings in snow helped in establishing procedures for meeting 'whiteouts' experienced in powdery snow. Landing sequences were designed to assist pilots in poor visibility. Uncleared runways and extreme weather conditions during the winter provided ideal testing conditions of ground handling and taxing on snow and ice. Detailed summaries of highly successful flights in natural icing conditions are described.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1970
- Accession Number
- AD0881186
Entities
People
- Donald A. Reilly