Aero-News has learned
the Finnish Aviation Academy located in Pori, Finland, has
contracted to purchase a Eurocopter EC135 helicopter Flight
Training Device (FTD) from Frasca International. The FTD will be
dual qualified as JAA FTD 3 and JAA FNPT 3 MCC -- the highest
levels of JAA qualification available for each class of device.
Frasca representatives say that level of qualification will
allow considerable flight time credit on the new device -- reducing
training time spent in actual helicopters.
The device will feature Frasca’s latest technology,
including a TruVision visual system with an extensive, highly
detailed database covering much of Finland, simulated EFIS and VEMD
displays, flight test validation data, blade element modeling,
automatic certification testing, exact cockpit replication,
electric control loading, multi-channel sound simulation and NVG
compatibility.
Frasca’s scalable TruVision visual system will be
configured in a multi-channel configuration in order to provide a
200-degree horizontal by 60-degree vertical field of view.
High-resolution projectors will be utilized in order to meet the
demanding resolution, brightness and contrast requirements of JAA
FTD 3.
The TruVision database will include a large geographically
specific area of Finland. All airfields, buildings, roads, rivers,
etc will be depicted, allowing complete free flight throughout the
database. Cities will be modeled with correct roads and rivers and
forests will be modeled with trees. All terrain will be
three-dimensional with mission specific elements such as heliports,
accident scenes, confined landing areas, ships at sea and more
included. The database will also include special effects critical
to helicopter flying such as a visible rotor disk,
whiteout/brownout conditions, blowing smoke, blowing snow and power
lines.
The aircrafts' VEMD and EFIS systems will be simulated using
commercial flat panel displays driven by Frasca’s Computer
Generated Instrumentation technology. Software will emulate all
modes of operation of the cockpit displays.
The FTD will also be equipped with Frasca’s Auto-test
Utility. This consists of software and sensors, which automatically
fly the FTD though the required JAA maneuvers, record its
performance and allow the FTD’s performance to be compared to
flight test data from the aircraft. The Frasca Auto-test system
features advanced capabilities such a manual fly-out, allowing
inspectors the ability to halt automated tests at anytime and
manually complete them. Auto-test also includes a real time
graphical feedback on the visual display, which greatly simplifies
performing control sweep tests.
In order to ensure the aerodynamic quality of the FTD, Blade
Element Modeling techniques will be used to calculate the forces
acting on the main and tail rotors. This technique analyzes the
airflow over the rotor by dividing the rotor into small segments.
Each segment is analyzed continuously as the blade moves through
the air. The individual forces of each segment are then summed to
determine the net forces that act in the simulation. Blade element
modeling offers superior performance to disk models that treat the
entire rotor disk as a single element. Disk models require
extensive software to deal with special conditions such as
retreating blade stall, settling with power and autorotation. These
conditions are simulated without special consideration when using
blade element modeling.
The FTD’s
cockpit, controls and furnishings are being fabricated by Frasca to
exactly match the aircraft, by using a salvaged aircraft as a
pattern and data source. Cockpit controls will be connected to
precision electric actuators in order to provide realistic forces
as encountered in flight.
The EC135 helicopter is a twin turbine engine helicopter
manufactured by Eurocopter in Germany. It is used extensively in
EMS and law enforcement applications.
ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (04.15.24)
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