A Simulation Investigation of Scout/Attack Helicopter Directional Control Requirements for Hover and Low-Speed Tasks
Abstract
A piloted simulator experiment was conducted to investigate directional axis handling qualities requirements for low speed (>40 knots) and hover tasks performed by a Scout Attack helicopter. Included in the investigation were the directional characteristics of various candidate light helicopter family configurations. Also, the experiment focused on conventional single main tail rotor configurations of the OH-58 series aircraft, where the first-order yaw-axis dynamic effects that contributed to the loss of tail rotor control were modeled. Five pilots flew 22 configurations under various wind conditions. Cooper-Harper handling quality ratings were used as the primary measure of merit of each configuration. The results of the experiment indicate that rotorcraft configurations with high directory handling qualities during nap of the Earth flying tasks. It was also determined that both yaw damping and control response are critical handling qualities parameters in performing the air to air target acquisition and tracking task. Finally, the lack of substantial yaw damping and larger values of gust sensitivity increased the possibility of loss of directional control at low airspeeds for the single main tail rotor configurations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA185874
Entities
People
- Courtland C. Bivens
- Joseph G. Guercio
Organizations
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration