DIGITAL SIMULATION OF THE OPERATIONAL LOADS SURVEY FLIGHT TESTS

The Operational Loads Survey, a comprehensive flight test program, was conducted by Bell Helicopter Textron under contract to the U. S. Army, using an extensively instrumented AH-1G helicopter. The test program was designed to record rotor aerodynamic environment and rotor, control system and airframe response and loads over the operational spectrum of the aircraft. The current study was initiated shortly after completion of the test program with the goal of validating the Rotorcraft Flight Simulation Program C81 by simulating several test points from the Operational Loads Survey and comparing the computed and experimental data. This paper discusses the modified aircraft, the test program, and certain aspects of the preparation of the data deck representing the aircraft. Data comparisons are presented for level flight.