Sea Level Flight Performance Test Overview For A Utility Helicopter

Abstract

T625 Gökbey helicopter finished the sea level flight test campaign, needed for certification process, in Kocaeli Cengiz Topel Airport at the beginning of 2024. Load surveys, autopilot, flight characteristics and flight performance are among the several different subjects for the test campaign. Hover, climb, autorotation, level flight, height-velocity and Category B take-off and landing tests constitute part of helicopter flight performance tests. Engine training mode is applied for both safety concerns and getting the desired engine performance for the tests requiring engine failure simulation. Flight tests provide evidence of compliance with relevant requirements and also contribute to data collection for the development of Flight Manual charts. This article aims to present details on the executed flight performance tests and highlight significant aspects all during the process. Furthermore, the certification criteria concerning general helicopter flight performance are briefly discussed.