DIGITAL FULL AUTHORITY CONTROLS FOR HELICOPTER ENGINES

The paper reviews the benefits that accrue to the aircraft, the operator and the crew from using full authority digital electronic engine controls. They are discussed as performance benefits, mission effectiveness benefits, cost benefits and maintainability benefits. The paper discusses the use of redundancy and its effects on the operation of aircraft, particularly comercial operation. The paper concludes that digital controls, and particularly dual redundant controls offer some very significant cost benefits to many helicopter operators.