Airborne Radar Approach, FAA/NASA Gulf of Mexico Helicopter Flight Test Program

Abstract

A joint FAA/NASA helicopter flight test was conducted in the Gulf of Mexico to investigate the airborne weather and mapping radar as an approach system for offshore drilling platforms. Approximately 120 Airborne Radar Approaches (ARA) were flown in a Bell 212 by 15 operational pilots. The objectives of the test were to (1) develop ARA procedures, (2) determine weather minimums, (3) determine pilot acceptability, (4) determine obstacle clearance and airspace requirements. Aircraft position data was analyzed at discrete points along the intermediate, final, and missed approach. The radar system error and radar flight technical error were determined in both range and azimuth, and the capability of the radar as an obstacle avoidance system was evaluated.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1980
Accession Number
ADA085481

Entities

People

  • Donald P. Pate
  • James H. Yates

Organizations

  • Federal Aviation Administration

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Airborne Warning And Control System
  • Aircrafts
  • Collision Avoidance
  • Coordinate Systems
  • Dead Reckoning
  • Differential Equations
  • Equations
  • Flight Paths
  • Flight Speeds
  • Mathematical Models
  • Operations Research
  • Probability
  • Radar
  • Radar Equipment
  • Range Finding
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Statistical Tests

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Aviation Safety and Air Traffic Management
  • Aviation Science / Aeronautics.
  • Oceanography.

Technology Areas

  • Space