ONERA S1MA Wind Tunnel Testing Capabilities of a Modern Tilt Rotor

The present paper aims at presenting the testing capabilities of ONERA S1MA wind tunnel used for the high speed tests of the ERICA concept of a European tilt rotor aircraft. These tests have been performed in May 2014 on a 1/5th scaled powered model. The whole high speed range has been covered, from M = 0.176 to M = 0.550, for both aircraft and conversion configurations. In order to complete the high speed tests successfully, several checks have been performed on this very complex model during the preparation phase. In addition, several means of monitoring have been used so as to operate the wind tunnel and the model safely. The experimental data gathered during the tests allowed the assessment of such a tilt rotor concept in high speed flight conditions.