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Directional handling qualities requirements for nap-of-the-earth tasksA piloted similator experiment designed to investigate directional axis handling qualities requirements for low-speed and hover tasks conducted by a scout/attack helicopter is described. Included were the directional characteristics of various candidate light helicopter family (LHX) configurations. The test also focused on conventional single main/tail rotor configurations where the first-order effects that contribute to the loss of tail rotor control experienced by the OH-58 series aircraft were modeled. Two types of yaw stability and control augmentation systems were implemented: washed-out yaw rate feedback and shaped control input, and a yaw rate command, heading-hold system. The results of the experiment indicate that rotorcraft configurations with high directional gust sensitivity require more yaw damping to maintain satisfactory handling qualities during nap-of-the-earth (NOE) 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. 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 tail rotor configurations.
Document ID
19860045761
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Bivens, C. C.
(NASA Ames Research Center; U.S. Army, Aeroflightdynamics Directorate, Moffett Field CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1986
Publication Information
Publication: American Helicopter Society, Journal
Volume: 31
ISSN: 0002-8711
Subject Category
Aircraft Stability And Control
Accession Number
86A30499
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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