VRS Avoidance as Active Function on Side-Sticks

DLR and ONERA have a long-term cooperation on the evaluation of technologies for "easy flying" helicopters. Active inceptors are one of these promising technologies. They are expected to improve flight safety, provide workload reductions, and demonstrate operational benefits. During the last year, flight tests at the DLR have effectively shown how tactile cueing with active inceptors can reduce pilot workload and improve mission effectiveness [1]. Among the developed functions were load limitation and flight guidance functions. At ONERA, since year 2000 several projects were carried out in the field of helicopter Flight Envelope Protection. The Vortex Ring State (VRS) regime exploration was one of the successful flight test programs during which this dangerous regime was deeply analyzed. DLR and ONERA are now sharing their experience through self funded projects and gathering their complementary activities in the area of flight envelope protection (FEP). In the framework of this Research Field a specific joint-team is in charge of the design and the evaluation of several FEP functions through active side-sticks. The VRS avoidance was selected as the first application to be evaluated.