Numerical Approaches to Flight Reduction for Helicopter Rotor Track and Balance

Helicopter rotor track and balance (RTB) is the process of reducing to a minimum the rotor induced vibration present during helicopter flight. We propose here the use of an optimisation algorithm to reduce the number of dedicated flights required to perform RTB and return an aircraft to a serviceable state. The algorithm has recently been flight trialled by UK MoD on their Puma aircraft as part of a project to embody the algorithm on their existing RTB equipment. Both main and tail rotor applications were tested. Some of the results from that flight trial are shown here along with their effects on the development of the algorithm itself. The outcome indicates that there is significant potential cost saving and increased availability benefits to be made by using the algorithm across the fleet.