Navy Shipboard Trials Of Helicopters And V/STOL Aircraft

The mode of operation and mission varies widely between helicopters, tilt wings, or direct lift jet V/STOL aircraft. However, the preparation and planning for shipboard trials are over 90 percent common for all types. The planning phases can be broken into the following areas: (1) Basic Flight Restrictions, (2) Shipboard Restrictions, (3) Operational Goals, (4) Shore-Based Tests, (5) Instrumentation/Data Package, (6) Shipboard indoctrination, and (7) Contingency Plans. Naval Air Test Center (NATC) shipboard trials of the H-2, CX-84, and AV-8A are used to illustrate the required planning phases. The helicopter "Dynamic Interface" tests and subsequent promulgation of shipboard launch/recovery envelopes are the end result of the preparation and conduct of shipboard trials.