Improved methods of alert generation in HUMS

This paper describes the limitations in current alert setting methodologies based on setting fixed thresholds for the amplitude of vibration and other HUM indicators. Methods for assessing the performance of defect detection with the contribution of the threshold setting methodology identified are described. These methods will correspond to those described in the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s Helicopter Health Monitoring Advisory Group’s Vibration Health Monitoring - HHMAG VHM - system specification. New technologies for maximising these performance measures using Constant False Alert Rate – CFAR – and Auto-trend technologies will be described. The improved Alert detection performance from employing these techniques on real world HUM data will be demonstrated.