Modern Techniques Of Conducting A Flight Loads Survey Based On Experiences Gained On Black Hawk

The ever increasing demand on the helicopter manufacturer for development and qualification of new aircraft with improved performance, reliability and mission capabilities within stringent budgetary constraints has surfaced a need to re-evaluate and improve the methods, techniques and procedures (methodology) utilized during qualification testing. Previous flight test experience at Sikorsky Aircraft clearly indicates that the critical path to earl roduction rocurement is the successful completion of the aircraft structural qualification program with the This paper addresses the techniques developed and utilized during the recent BLACK HAWK (UH-60A) qualification program and shows how the Flight Loads Survey provides the basis for flight envelope definition, mission utilization, fatigue analysis and also provides interactive data to support and/or update predicted loads criteria. The importance of development and implementation of new flight test methodology to flight loads survey criteria is shown to be a primary consideration for timely and successful completion of major aircraft test programs.