Helicopter Testing Using the PC-Based MFI 90 Flight Test Instrumentation System

Abstract

DLR realizes flight testing under the rough environmental conditions on board of helicopters. Beside the necessary data about the behavior of the base helicopter the main interest concerns information about the rotor system. After explaining the measuring technique the computer integrated Rotor data acquisition system is presented which communicates with the Central computer inside the helicopter via serial data line. The Central computer that has to gather and process also the signals from the base is a modified PC-type computer. It is demonstrated how to use office PC components for this purpose. These have the advantage to be inexpensive and always and everywhere available. The Central computer is a 486er type now. Necessary modifications for airworthy certification are explained. This technique includes on board recording and telemetry. An intelligent LC display is presented which gives the test pilots the necessary information about their tasks. It is a simply modified notebook controlled only by handling cursor keys. In addition pilots have the chance to fly "head up" by using an LC display which origins from an LCD projection panel.