Using Chase Aircraft for Rotary Wing Flight Test - A Comprehensive Review

In the course of conducting flight test, chase aircraft have long been used for documenting the results of flight test and as a safety watch over the test vehicle. Historically, the emphasis on teaching chase techniques and lessons learned has been in the fixed wing community; this paper provides details for establishing standard protocols, terminology and test techniques for the rotary wing community to use in the course of conducting flight test chase. A comprehensive review of flight test chase requirements and techniques that address the unique flight test requirements for rotary wing aircraft is presented. The use of chase aircraft is applicable to both commercial and military helicopter flight test. The various missions that Photo Chase and Safety Chase are used in the course of conducting flight test are discussed in detail. In particular, the military has a range of unique missions such as aerial refueling, dipping sonar operations, weapons jettison, weapon firing, and chasing unmanned vehicles that require in-flight imagery or a safety chase. Detailed communication terminology that is applicable to safely conducting chase flight operations is presented.