THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF NEW TECHNOLOGY TO THE CIVIL ROTORCRAFT NEED

Civil helicopter operators are expressing growing concern about the failure to achieve the “practical” application of technology to modern commercial rotorcraft. While not totally opposed to technology opportunities, this failure is seen by the operators as a serious threat to their economic well-being. It becomes even more critical when added to the challenges of inadequate infrastructure, regulatory issues, and halting public acceptance. A look at the technology application process indicates that, despite recent success with operator Blue Team inputs in ad hoc design efforts, there is a weak link in the civil R&D chain. The weakness exists in the process of defining civil mission requirements and communicating them between the operator and the designer communities. This is in stark contrast to the military rotorcraft development process. A recommendation is put forth that the AHS and the HAI explore a means of institutionalizing the formulation and managment of a baseline document carefully defining civil rotorcraft mission and operating requirements as an industry benchmark.