The civil helicopter accident rate in the USA is 10 times that of airline accidents, with 20% attributed to pilot error. US Army/NASA studies have developed a number of strategies with the goal of reducing the helicopter accident rate. These include human centred cockpit technology to provide real time performance prediction and operational limits alerting systems. These were seen as practical recommendations to help reduce the significant number of accidents where performance limitations were exceeded, particularly for rotorcraft pilots subject to high workload. / The two typical methods in use for pilots to predict helicopter performance and pre-determine limits are through the use of performance data in the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) and Flight Management Systems (FMS). Using the RFM performance data is extremely difficult in a single-pilot environment, particularly in lower cost helicopters that have weak stability and unfavourable flight control characteristics. The FMS in several modern helicopter types provide some means of performance prediction but are limited in their capability, are aircraft-type specific and not certified for use in other helicopters. / This thesis describes the design and test of a low-cost, automated, helicopter performance instrumentation system that conducts real-time performance predictions and limits alerting for the Bell OH-58C helicopter. / The prototype helicopter performance instrumentation system demonstrated very good potential to conduct accurate performance predictions, while significantly reducing pilot workload. It allowed a limited demonstration of performance limits alerting that could warn a pilot of inadequate performance available. The reduction in workload, accuracy and performance limits alerting features of the COTS-based helicopter performance instrumentation system enable it to have potential to assist in reducing the high accident rate in lower-cost production helicopters. Further research into the system is recommended to develop enhancements using intelligent techniques. / Thesis (MSc(AppliedPhysics))--University of South Australia, 2007.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/267110 |
| Creators | Hardy, Michael L. |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | copyright under review |
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