Wind Tunnel Investigation of a Helicopter Model in Shipboard Operations

The paper presents the wind tunnel simulation of a helicopter model in shipboard operations. The test rig consists of a scaled helicopter model and a simplified ship model, based on the geometry of the Simple Frigate Shape 1. In the first phase of the experiment, pressure and Particle Image Velocimetry survey of the flow field on the flight deck were performed without the presence of the helicopter, to study the flow features on the ship deck, for several wind conditions obtained modifying the wind speed and direction. The influence of Atmospheric Boundary Layer was investigated as well. Then, the rotorcraft was positioned in a series of points representative of both a typical fore-aft landing trajectory toward the deck, and a vertical descent on the deck. Loads generated by the rotor were monitored by means of a six-axis load cell. Particle Image Velocimetry of the ship wake and of the helicopter inflow were carried out in order to have a better understanding of how the interacting flow fields affected the helicopter performance. The test showed a significant effect of the mutual aerodynamic influence between the helicopter and the ship model and a limited effect of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer

Wind Tunnel Investigation of a Helicopter Model in Shipboard Operations

The paper presents the wind tunnel simulation of a helicopter model in shipboard operations. The test rig consists of a scaled helicopter model and a simplified ship model, based on the geometry of the Simple Frigate Shape 1. In the first phase of the experiment, pressure and Particle Image Velocimetry survey of the flow field on the flight deck were performed without the presence of the helicopter, to study the flow features on the ship deck, for several wind conditions obtained modifying the wind speed and direction. The influence of Atmospheric Boundary Layer was investigated as well. Then, the rotorcraft was positioned in a series of points representative of both a typical fore-aft landing trajectory toward the deck, and a vertical descent on the deck. Loads generated by the rotor were monitored by means of a six-axis load cell. Particle Image Velocimetry of the ship wake and of the helicopter inflow were carried out in order to have a better understanding of how the interacting flow fields affected the helicopter performance. The test showed a significant effect of the mutual aerodynamic influence between the helicopter and the ship model and a limited effect of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer

Assessment of the feasibility of an extended range helicopter operational standard for offshore flights

The accident rate of rotorcraft has improved significantly over the years but at a slow pace, and in any case the number of accident per flight hours is one or two order on magnitude higher than that of commercial aircraft. This could be reasonably related to the inherent higher risk associate with rotorcraft operations. This represent a strong evidence of the necessity to introduce airworthiness operation standards also in the rotorcraft community, as an effective mean to improve safety records, borrowing the experience done in the commercial air transport community with the introduction of ETOPS. In this paper a first proposal of development of a safety standard for helicopter offshore operation is discussed together with the possible support to this development that could be given by the EU H2020 NITROS project. Copyright Statement The authors confirm that they, and/or their company or organization, hold copyright on all of the original material included in this paper. The authors also confirm that they have obtained permission, from the copyright holder of any third party material included in this paper, to publish it as part of their paper. The authors confirm that they give permission, or have obtained permission from the copyright holder of this paper, for the publication and distribution of this paper as part of the ERF proceedings or as individual offprints from the proceedings and for inclusion in a freely accessible web-based repository

Assessment of the Feasibility of an Extended Range Helicopter Operational Standard for Offshore Flights

The accident rate of rotorcraft has improved signi1cantly over the years but at a slow pace, and in any case the number of accident per 2ight hours is one or two order on magnitude higher than that of commercial aircraft. This could be reasonably related to the inherent higher risk associate with rotorcraft operations. This represent a strong evidence of the necessity to introduce airworthiness operation standards also in the rotorcraft community, as an effective mean to improve safety records, borrowing the experience done in the commercial air transport community with the introduction of ETOPS. In this paper a 1rst proposal of development of a safety standard for helicopter offshore operation is discussed together with the possible support to this development that could be given by the EU H2020 NITROS project