BENEFITS OF TELEMETRY IN HELICOPTER FLIGHT TESTING

Abstract

Hughes Helicopters, Inc. is testing the U.S. Army AH-64 at the corporation’s facility at Carlsbad, California and at the U.S. Army Proving Ground, Yuma, Arizon. An automated telemetry system is being used to expedite the AH-64 qualification testing with minimum risk by providing on-line analysis of measured data. This paper discusses the special application software and hardware developed for this helicopter testing. The software and hardware is designed to provide timely engineering analysis of test measurements in order to minimize flight-safety risks, aircraft turnaround time, repeat testing, and developmental problem delays. The analyses include structural, dynamic, aerodynamic, weapons-systems, and aircraft-system considerations. Selected samples of real-time analytical displays generated on the system are included. The equipment and capabilities of the system which is being used in the testing will be discussed. The system has two analytical stations with display capabilities data of which can operate simultaneously on a single telemetered data stream or, alternatively, each station can operate simultaneously on separate data streams. Of interest in this paper are the spectrum of ground and flight operations required to enhance safety, to verify the attainment of test objectives, and to analyze the document test results. The acceptable time lag for analysis of measurement may vary considerably, depending on the purpose of the observation. Flight safety requires the fastest possible analysis, while several weeks may be acceptable for the documentation of results. For my purposes, then, I define real-time analysis as the attainment of engineering answers within a timeframe that will not impede the safe progression of the test. The analytical capability of our system utilizing telemetry is a significant step forward in the development of this current generation helicopter.