Calculation of helicopter maneuverability in forward flight based on energy method

Nanjian Zhuang, Jinwu Xiang, Zhangping Luo, Yiru Ren

COMPUTER MODELLING & NEW TECHNOLOGIES 2014 18(5) 50-54

School of Aeronautic Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Haidian Dist, Beijing, China

A new method for calculating helicopter maneuverability in forward flight is proposed. Empirical equations for evaluating rotor required power are employed. Using energy method, an algorithm to calculate the available overloads, rate of climb and flight trajectory is given. The maneuver performance of AH-1G helicopter is investigated and three kinds of maneuvers including level acceleration, deceleration turning and turning climb followed by accelerating climb are calculated and analysed. Numerical results indicate that the method is effective and feasible, even for three dimensional maneuvering problems. In addition, the method can be applied to predict flight trajectory during forward flight.