European standards agency Eurocae has launched a call to interested parties to participate as Document Project (DP) editors for an activity undertaken by Working Group 112 Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL). A technical standard is being developed in Sub Group 4 Flight with the title VTOL Performance.
There is limited experience of performance determination for VTOL aircraft, and for eVTOLs in particular, and there is no experience or literature for supporting eVTOL performance flight test. A consensus standard is therefore required for performance determination – the specifics of ‘what, how, and why’. It would begin with defining standard flight phases applicable to eVTOL operations, such as taxi, air taxi, hover, vertical climb, take-off, climb, level off, cruise, descent, approach, landing, and ground/air taxi back.
For each phase identified, the characteristics of the models and processes for determining the meaningful performance parameters (e.g., hover ceiling, vertical climb rate, range, endurance etc.) should then be defined. The methods for collecting and analysing the data for performance determination should be presented, along with the possible extrapolations and constraints.
The deliverable would be a MOC that ties together the performance related MOCs in MOC.SC.VTOL and expands on that material with further details and information. An example of an equivalent undertaking is ED-295 ‘Guidance on VTOL Flight Control Handling Qualities Verification’, an MOC itself which provides additional means of compliance to support MOC VTOL.2135.
The intent of this DP is therefore to create the equivalent of well-established material available for other aircraft types, for example normal/utility fixed wing aircraft in Section 2 ‘Performance’ of the EASA CS-23 Flight Test Guide, and normal category rotorcraft in section 27.45 ‘Performance’ in FAA AC 27 1B rev 8.
This DP will be developed in parallel to OEMs establishing the equivalent information for their own specific VTOL aircraft programs. It is intended that contributing editors will have the benefit of experience of their own development programs, including the acquisition of actual flight test data. In sharing that experience to guide development of this consensus MOC, it will ensure a final product of sufficient scope and quality for future VTOL programs and other OEMs that will follow.
To lead this activity, expertise is required in Aircraft Performance. Companies that are actively engaged in SC.VTOL certification programs are encouraged to apply.
If you are interested in participating as DP editor for this activity, please complete the registration form by 14 October 2022. The responsibilities pertaining to the role are described there.
WG-112 VTOL shall develop the appropriate industry standards necessary as Acceptable Means of Compliance to support the Special Condition on VTOL aircraft that EASA published in mid-2019.
WG-112 is organised in nine subgroups, each working in a specific area. The work of the subgroups is coordinated by a Steering Committee, which ensures developmental consistency.
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