T&E 4111 RW Performance Flight Testing I

Course Description

This course is offered once per year on-campus. The course is designed to provide an intensive overview of the methods used to measure and predict performance of turbine engine helicopters.  Emphasis is placed on subsonic aerodynamics, dimensional analysis, International Standard Atmosphere, pitot-static and turbine engine theory.  Hover and vertical climb performance theory and flight testing methods are stressed.

Anticipated Course Learning Outcomes

Be familiar with

  • · Standard atmosphere and the associated tables.
  • · The non-uniform induced velocity theory through the hovering disk
  • · Basic definitions of disk loading, power loading, solidity ratio and figure of merit

Understand

  • · The fundamentals of dimensional analysis
  • · Subsonic aerodynamics principles
  • · Pitot static principles and PEC requirements
  • · Momentum theory and blade element theory
  • · Determination of turbine engine characteristics
  • · The effect of atmospheric properties and rotor parameters on the  hover and vertical climb performance of a helicopter.

Know

  • · How Coefficient of Power and Coefficient of Thrust are used for determining hover ceiling
  • · How to measure and evaluate pitot static position errors
  • · How to test and evaluate hover performance of rotary wing aircraft
  • · How to assess engine performance
  • · How to measure the weight and center of gravity of an aircraft.
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