Commander LOPES – Bravo Class successfully completes the practical phase of the Postgraduate Program in Flight Test Operations – Helicopter and Flight Test Pilot – Level 2 (PEV-2) – Helicopter

In the week of June 25 to July 1, Commander LOPES carried out the four flights scheduled in the Postgraduate Courses in Flight Test Operations – Helicopter and PEV-2 – Helicopter, at ETEP/SIRIUS FTBR.

The flights were carried out in Pará de Minas – MG, at the EFAI Aviation School, a partner of SIRIUS in the Courses, and included the Instruction and Evaluation of Commander BOSCO – Test 10, in Flight Test Techniques (FTT) and in the final evaluation flight.

Three flights were carried out in the Schweizer helicopter, following Test Orders to: 1) Obtain power data in in-ground effect hover and verify the power aspects in out-of-ground effect hover, and compare them with the information in the Flight Manual. In this test, the flight test technique used was the free hover method with a laser rangefinder; 2) Perform functional checks of the helicopter in level flight conditions, such as: obtain the manifold pressure curve as a function of speed, determine the maximum horizontal speed (VH), determine the fuel consumption in level flight at VH, and compare the results with the information in the Flight Manual; 3) Perform functional checks of the helicopter in climb and descent flight conditions, such as: determine the climb rate at various speeds, determine the descent rate at various speeds, obtain the climb rate and descent rate curve as a function of speed under the tested conditions, and compare the results with the information in the Flight Manual

For all flights, Commander LOPES prepared flight test cards and conducted a technical-operational briefing as part of the test planning. Once the flights were carried out, Commander LOPES will document the results of the test flights in a Flight Test Report

The fourth test flight was the evaluation of the H125 – Esquilo aircraft, from partner EFAI, in compliance with the Test Order that presented a scenario in which a company was interested in purchasing an H125 aircraft which, according to the seller, was in perfect condition. He exemplified by saying that even on the hottest days, around 35ºC, the aircraft could perform Out of Ground Effect hovers at maximum takeoff weight with power to spare, and that in In Ground Effect hover it could handle the full planned weight. He also stated that the aircraft could reach a maximum speed of 120 kt at any altitude, regardless of weight, with an endurance of 3h20min. A so-called specialist accompanying the seller claimed that the aircraft had unique performance, being able to reach a climb rate of up to 2,000 ft/min with a full fuel tank and 5 passengers on board, and that if a rapid descent was needed, it could descend at up to 3,000 ft/min without any difficulty. Both claimed that all onboard systems were fully functionalIt was just taking the aircraft and flying away”.

Based on the information presented and using flight test planning and techniques, the fourth test flight verified the behavior of the onboard systems and the performance characteristics in the aforementioned phases of flight, in order to confirm or correct the information provided by the seller and the so-called specialist

Now Commander LOPES will document the results of the H125 Esquilo evaluation flight in a Flight Test Report and present them to the “clients”

Congratulations to Commander LOPES for overcoming another stage in the pursuit of the Postgraduate Certificate in Flight Test Operations and Flight Test Pilot – Level 2