Preliminary Airworthiness Evaluation AH-1S Helicopter with OGEE Tip Shape Rotor Blades

Abstract

The United States Army Aviation Engineering Flight Activity conducted a Preliminary Airworthiness Evaluation of the AH-1S helicopter with OGEE tip- shape main rotor blades to determine if any improvement in performance or handling qualities resulted from replacing the K747 blades. Additionally, the acoustics signature of the OGEE blades were measured by the US Army Research and Technology Laboratories (Aeromechanics Lab). Tests were conducted at Edwards Air Force Base (elevation 2302 feet) and Coyote Flats (elevation 9980 feet), California from 1 November 1979 through 8 April 1980. Forty-five test flights were flown for a total of 36.6 productive hours (63.2 total hours). Both hover and level flight performance were degraded by installation of OGEE tip-shape main rotor blades. Low-speed handling qualities were unaffected by the OGEE blades. Other handling qualities tests were not accomplished. Results of acoustics tests will be reported by the laboratories under a separate cover.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1980
Accession Number
ADA089625

Entities

People

  • David Ottomeyer
  • Gary L. Bender
  • Henry Arnaiz
  • Larry Higgins
  • Ralph Woratschek

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Temperature
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Army Aviation
  • Composite Materials
  • Engineering
  • Helicopters
  • Instrumentation
  • Level Flight
  • Magnetic Tape
  • Measurement
  • Military Research
  • Performance Tests
  • Standards
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Test Methods
  • Turboshaft Engines

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerodynamics.
  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Hydraulic Engineering.