20.01.2013 Views

The Art of the Helicopter John Watkinson - Karatunov.net

The Art of the Helicopter John Watkinson - Karatunov.net

The Art of the Helicopter John Watkinson - Karatunov.net

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

Fig. 7.1 (a) A minimal control loop in which <strong>the</strong> conditions are sensed from simple instruments and <strong>the</strong><br />

view from <strong>the</strong> canopy. (b) Power assistance is provided for <strong>the</strong> controls, making possible <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> a stability<br />

augmentation device.<br />

Put this way, <strong>the</strong> pilot’s task sounds onerous, but it need not be so. In a simple<br />

light helicopter in good conditions this process is extremely enjoyable. However, many<br />

helicopters have to operate in poor conditions, and in addition to flying <strong>the</strong> machine<br />

<strong>the</strong> pilot may be required to perform o<strong>the</strong>r tasks associated with <strong>the</strong> mission. <strong>The</strong> goal<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> designer may <strong>the</strong>n be to make flight possible in all wea<strong>the</strong>rs, and/or to keep <strong>the</strong><br />

pilot’s stress or workload down to an acceptable level for <strong>the</strong> expected mission.<br />

<strong>The</strong> pilot’s assessment <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> machine’s attitude is assisted by <strong>the</strong> provision <strong>of</strong> instruments<br />

such as an artificial horizon and a direction indicator. <strong>The</strong>se will allow <strong>the</strong><br />

pilot to maintain <strong>the</strong> machine’s attitude despite poor visibility and are essential if <strong>the</strong><br />

machine is to be flown under instrument flight rules (IFR). <strong>The</strong> addition <strong>of</strong> powerassisted<br />

controls to Figure 7.1(a) will beneficially reduce <strong>the</strong> pilot’s physical workload<br />

on long flights. IFR instruments improve <strong>the</strong> quality <strong>of</strong> information presented, but<br />

<strong>the</strong> stability <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> machine is still down to <strong>the</strong> continuous concentration <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> pilot.<br />

Flying a simple helicopter on instruments is possible, but difficult. Two pilots might be<br />

required, one to fly, <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r to handle navigation and communications.<br />

Control 259

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!