Evolution Leads To Revolution – Helicopter Flight Testing Using RTK DGPS Technology

Mark Hardesty, Greg Ashe

Abstract:	With the availability of high-accuracy RTK DGPS, a major revolution in helicopter flight test techniques has taken place. RTK DGPS based tools have been developed specifically to support flight test activities, resulting in tremendous increases in the efficiency and safety of experimental flight test operations. FAA related flight test efforts such as Category A, fly-over noise, and low speed controllability benefit tremendously from the precision 3-dimensional position and velocity data available. Handling qualities maneuvers described by Military Aeronautical Design Standard 33D are quickly and accurately scored using similar techniques. Additional applications being developed for the technology include climbing and descending airspeed calibration and flight loads survey maneuver cueing.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 12th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1999) September 14 - 17, 1999 Nashville, TN
Pages:	1777 - 1786
Cite this article:	Hardesty, Mark, Ashe, Greg, "Evolution Leads To Revolution – Helicopter Flight Testing Using RTK DGPS Technology," Proceedings of the 12th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1999), Nashville, TN, September 1999, pp. 1777-1786.
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