Boeing Vertol Fatigue Life Methodology

This paper presents the fatigue life methodology in use at Boeing Vertol Company. The more important aspects of life calculations namely, mission profile, bench fatigue test data, and flight test data are discussed. The fatigue life methodology is then used to calculate a component life for a hypothetical fatigue life problem. This problem was compiled by the American Helicopter Society, Mid-West Region for presentation at the Specialists' Meeting on Helicopter Fatigue Methodology in St. Louis, Missouri, in March 1980.