Airworthiness and Flight Characteristics Test of the RC-12D Guardrail V
Abstract
The US Army Aviation Engineering Flight Activity conducted a limited Airworthiness and Flight Characteristics test of the RC-12D (Improved Guardrail V) aircraft with both standard and infrared (IR) suppressor exhaust stacks installed from 10 May though 1 June 1984 at Wichita, Kansas. During the test program, 12 flights were conducted for a total of 25.7 hours, of which 14.6 were productive. All tests were performed in a normal mission configuration ballasted to a maximum takeoff gross weight of 14,200 pounds and a center of gravity at fuselage station 190.1 (fwd). Test results were compared with data obtained during previous testing, and evaluated against military specification MIL-F- 8785C. Takeoff and landing performance presented in the operator's manual were confirmed as was the Beech Aircraft Corporation provided drag polar plot of the standard stack configured aircraft. A slight degradation in performance was noted with IR suppressor exhaust stacks installed. The RC-12D aircraft has marginal climb performance capabilities with a combat ceiling below 24,000 feet density altitude. The handling qualities of the RC-12D with both standard and IR suppressor exhaust stacks installed were essentially unchanged from the standard C-12D aircraft with the exception of improved stall characteristics.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA148046
Entities
People
- George M. Yamakawa
- James L. Webre
- Richard S. Adler
- Ronald E. Ratcliff