OEI Bias Training System for Multi-Engine Rotorcraft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current one-engine inoperative (OEI) training systems for rotary-wing aircraft require extensive preflight planning and access to flight manuals, limiting their effectiveness and safety, especially for deployed military aircrews, and can asymmetrically load inputs to the main gearbox, potentially causing transient torque spikes.
Innovation Solution
A method and module for conducting flight procedures training that determines an available power margin and applies a variable bias to simulate a reduced power condition, displaying symbology indicative of the simulated condition, allowing for dynamic real-time training without detailed preflight planning and without direct access to flight manuals, using a multi-engine powerplant system, cockpit instrument display, and an OEI/BIAS training system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed bias system is used to simulate OEI conditions, then power limited procedures can be safely simulated, but extensive preflight planning and access to flight manuals are required
Solution Approach 1:
The training system automatically determines current aircraft gross weight using onboard sensors and systems, eliminating the need for manual preflight weight calculations and flight manual references. The system self-configures the bias level based on real-time weight data, allowing deployed aircrews to conduct OEI training without extensive preflight planning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-calculates and stores bias levels for various aircraft gross weights and operational conditions, so that during training the appropriate bias is automatically applied without requiring real-time manual computation or flight manual consultation. This preliminary preparation eliminates the complexity of preflight planning while maintaining safety.
2Reliability
If a fixed bias system is used to simulate OEI conditions, then power limited procedures can be trained, but the system requires strict flight manual procedures to avoid unrecoverable rotor droop
Solution Approach 1:
The bias level dynamically adjusts based on real-time aircraft gross weight measurements and operational conditions. As the aircraft weight changes (e.g., fuel consumption), the system automatically recalculates and adjusts the bias level to maintain the appropriate power margin, eliminating the need for strict manual procedures and allowing operational flexibility while ensuring safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors aircraft gross weight, power available, and power required, using this feedback to automatically adjust the bias level. This closed-loop control ensures that the power margin remains within safe limits without requiring manual intervention or strict adherence to flight manual procedures, greatly improving ease of operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If physical retarding of Speed Control Lever or ENGINE TRIM switches is used to limit engine power, then OEI training can be conducted without commercial systems, but asymmetric loading of main gearbox inputs occurs causing transient torque spikes
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies bias symmetrically to all engine outputs through the FADEC system, rather than asymmetrically retarding individual engine controls. This symmetric application of power limitation eliminates the asymmetric loading of main gearbox inputs that causes transient torque spikes, while still providing effective OEI training.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical control retarding (physical Speed Control Lever or ENGINE TRIM switch manipulation) with electronic control through the FADEC system. This substitution eliminates the mechanical asymmetric loading issues while maintaining the ability to limit engine power for training purposes.
4Ease of manufacture
If self-imposed power limiting is used to simulate heavy condition, then training can be conducted without external systems, but there is no actual aircraft response in the form of rotor droop
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses electronic control through FADEC to apply power limiting, replacing manual self-imposed limitations. This electronic system automatically produces the correct aircraft response including rotor droop feedback, maintaining training effectiveness while keeping the system simple to implement and operate.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automatic feedback mechanisms that monitor power settings and produce appropriate aircraft responses including rotor droop. This feedback loop ensures that when power is limited, the aircraft responds realistically as it would in actual OEI or heavy condition, greatly improving training effectiveness compared to manual self-imposed limitations.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for conducting flight procedures training in a rotary-wing aircraft with a multi-engine powerplant includes determining a variable bias relative an available power margin to simulate a reduced power available flight condition; and displaying symbology indicative of the simulated reduced power available flight condition.