Roadmap towards first SAS engagement

Abstract

T-625 helicopter is a light utility multi role helicopter that is designed by Turkish Aerospace Helicopter Group. It is equipped with a four-axis dual-redundant automatic flight control system (AFCS) and this paper presents the stages of the automatic flight control system design of T-625 helicopter. General architecture of AFCS will be provided and the details of SCAS and autopilot systems will be discussed. Safety aspects of dual AFCS will be described together with an overview of safety-critical system development. Stages of AFCS control law design and their implementation to the Flight Control Computers will be briefed. Details of conducted system tests at the hardware in the loop engineering simulator, as well as during ground and flight tests will be discussed. In overall, this paper summarizes the studies performed towards first autopilot engagement of T-625 helicopter and introduces results from both ground and flight tests.