Procurement and instrumentation of a helicopter suitable for TP and FTE training at ETPS

Kevin Emerson MPhil, BSc, Empire Test Pilots’ School, QinetiQ, MOD Boscombe Down

Abstract

As part of the longer term planning for the Empire Test Pilots’ School (ETPS) rotary wing training a new twin engine helicopter that was suitable for use on TP/FTE courses had to be procured and instrumented. Before helicopter types were evaluated, the procurement team had to identify what handling, performance and system characteristics were needed to support the ETPS syllabus. In addition, the practicalities of clearing a helicopter type for use within the UK Military, regulatory structure had to be considered. Once the helicopter was procured the flight test instrumentation (FTI) requirements would be identified, and an FTI suite would be designed and installed.

This paper outlines the rationale used by ETPS for determining which characteristics made a helicopter suitable for TP/FTE training, and how this led to the selection of the A109E as the preferred type. It also describes how the instrumentation requirements were determined following a review of the ETPS flying exercises. The design of the FTI suite took into account this review, the anticipated life of the aircraft and that the data was for a test pilots’ school exercises not actual flight test. The regulatory procedures used to clear the aircraft and FTI for flight with their associated challenges are also discussed. Throughout the paper the lessons learnt at each stage are outlined such that future procurement decisions for flight test training aircraft and instrumentation are better informed. Copyright ©