AGARD Flight Test Techniques Series. Volume 12. The Principles of Flight TestAssessment of Flight-Safety-Critical Systems in Helicopters (Les Principes de l'Evaluation, dans le Cadre des Essais en Vol, des Systemes Indispensables a la Securite de Vol des

摘要

Modern helicopters usually incorporate many engineering systems (including pilotaiding systems such as autostabilisers and flight directors) which are essential to the safe and effective use of the helicopter. Where the helicopter can be endangered by failure of a system (or of one of its units), that system is termed flight safety critical. In general, the use of those systems should not incur a higher probability of hazard to the helicopter than that considered acceptable from considerations of structural or mechanical failure. In assessing the suitability of a helicopter for its intended mission(s), it has become increasingly important to consider the effects of the various systems provided. In particular, assessments of the implications of systems performance and failures derived from calculation and ground tests should be validated by flight tests. This paper seeks to establish the general principles applicable to the testing in flight of any flight safety critical system, with emphasis on certification rather than system development. It does not deal with the testing of particular systems, but it is hoped that readers will find the principles described readily applicable to specific cases.