Page 27 - World Airnews Magazine January 2020 Edition

HELICOPTERS HELICOPTERS

Tap Execute and the helicopter take off computer finds the right combination of But it was simple enough for me, and its
and goes to work. Along the way, inertial controls to deliver what they want. The broad capability made the entire flight

guidance systems and GPS keep it on track, result is a control system that’s as intuitive thoroughly uneventful, right down to
while external sensors, including LIDAR as any videogame. the easy, bounce-free touchdown, Wired

(Light Detection and Ranging) and cameras, I flew us to different positions above the online reported.

watch for obstacles and potential landing tarmac at Sikorsky’s headquarters, swing- That sort of effortless-seeming flight

sites should something go wrong. ing around easily and using a combination is, of course, precisely what you’d want

To take over, the pilot simply starts of visuals and the map to position myself. from a robot or noob pilot, especially if

working the controls and the autonomous If I keep my pace below five knots, the and when future air taxis start shuttling us

system gives way. When he lets go again, computer stops and hovers when I release around the skies.

the computer retakes control. It’s a two- the controls. “We’re demonstrating a certifiable au-

way backup: The helicopter is always ready To take over, the Sikorsky S-76B, the pilot tonomy solution that is going to drastically

to take over from the pilot, just as the pilot simply starts working the controls and the change the way pilots fly,” Mark Ward,

is always able to take over from the com- autonomous system gives way. When he chief pilot at Sikorsky’s Stratford, Conn.

puter, Wired online reported. lets go again, the computer retakes control. Flight Test Centre told Flight Global.
Along with the tablet, the SARA comes Credit: The Drive. “We’re confident that MATRIX Tech-

with two “inceptors” on either side of If I go faster, it maintains my heading nology will allow pilots to focus on their
my seat. These hand controls let the pilot and speed. The helicopter did everything missions. This technology will ultimately

interrupt the flight plan to change the smoothly and predictably even when decrease instances of the number one

helicopter’s direction or position, or just flying via the inceptors, regardless of how cause of helicopter crashes: controlled

fly around. unsteady my hand may have been. flight into terrain.”

The left control manages the throttle Mostly, though, I used the tablet to com- The Army and DARPA are working with

and yaw. The right is a joystick that allows mand the whirlybird. The current interface Sikorsky to improve the autonomous MA-

for horizontal control, pitching forward, is aimed at pro pilots, with the commensu- TRIX system, aiming to eventually turn it into
backward, left, or right. Even these, though, rate degree of detail and data. a tailorable autonomy kit to be installed in

are far simpler than a helicopter’s four The design is evolving, says Igor fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.

standard controls: the cyclic, throttle, col- Cherepinsky, director of Sikorsky’s au- The manufacturer plans to add its au-
lective, and pedals. tonomy program. Eventually, it will take tonomous technology into a UH-60 Black

When the pilot uses the inceptors, the on a form that non-pilots can readily use. Hawk. Q
SIKORSKY PRESENTS A MAINTENANCE
TOUCH-AND-GO COPTER MTU MAINTENANCE SIGNS
By Dave Makichuk EXCLUSIVE CONTRACT
This, of course, is no ordinary helicopter. acquired in 2015, recently announced it’s
It’s the test bed for Sikorsky’s Matrix Tech- formally entering the urban mobility race, our exceptional and intelligent solutions as their CFM56-

s helicopter flights go, this one nology, a suite of systems to boost helicop- using the Matrix system, electric propul- 7B engines enter the mature stage of their lifecycle. We
Awas especially boring. ter safety by reducing pilot workload to the sion tech, and its data systems. Already, TU Maintenance and Malaysia Airlines Berhad look forward to proactively managing Malaysia Airlines’

We took off, hovered for a bit, and point where the crew can focus on what Sikorsky says that the Matrix tech is essen- Mhave signed an exclusive 10-year contract for the fleet, maximizing engine usage and reducing cost for our

manoeuvred around the airport. We flew they need to do rather than how to do it, tially ready to start piloting flying cars — airlines more than 100 CFM56-7B engines recently. partner.”

to a spot about 10 miles away, did some Eric Adams of Wired online reported. even if those flying cars don’t exactly exist The service offering incorporates MTU Maintenance’s

turns and gentle banks, then came back The mission, not the mechanics. Its just yet. The contract covers maintenance, repair and overhaul for PERFORMPlus solution for newer engines, ensuring longer

and landed. maker calls it SARA, for Sikorsky Autonomy My flight lent that claim some credence. the engine fleet until phase-out and includes lease engines on-wing times through optimized fleet management, engine

and LLP management.

I’ve been on more exciting Ferris wheels, Research Aircraft. And ultimately, it could The tablet on my knee showed a moving trend monitoring, on-site services and lease support.

with views more inspiring than those do a lot more than make flying a helicopter map (with real images, Google Satellite Malaysia Airlines is the national carrier of Malaysia and Further, it also draws on numerous elements of the compa-

of rural Connecticut. Still, the flight was safer and easier. view-style) and a few command options. transports 40,000 guests on more than 300 flights daily to 59 ny’s SAVEPlus solution for more mature engines, using smart

destinations around the world.

impressive for at least one reason: The pilot While the future of autonomous, urban You can load in a preset mission or just strategies to minimize cost at end of life. MTU Maintenance
controlling the 12,000-pound Sikorsky S-76 air taxis has drawn new players and bold point to a spot on the map and enter your “We are delighted to be partnering with MTU Mainte- Zhuhai will be carrying out these services on behalf of Malay-

had never before operated a helicopter. plans into the aviation space, Sikorsky has speed and altitude preferences. nance,” said Izham Ismail, goup chief executive officer of sia Airlines.

That would be me. been quietly developing its own solution, When the pilot uses the inceptors, the Malaysia Airlines. MTU Maintenance is the global leader in customised

Fortunately, I’m not responsible for putting itself at the head of the helicopter computer finds the right combination of “We are confident that MTU will provide the flexible, reli- solutions for aero engines. The company is the number

keeping anybody alive. The blue and white autonomy space, Wired online reported. controls to deliver what they want. The able service needed to keep our B737-800 fleet safely flying one independent service provider for the CFM56-fam-

commercial chopper did all the work, from In the next year or so, it will include result is a Sikorsky S-76B, control system as well as an optimized cost per flight hour that supports our ily and is seeing strong and increasing demand for its

takeoff to touchdown. It navigated and ex- Matrix features in the Black Hawks it builds that’s as intuitive as any video game. Cred- bottom line.” services.

ecuted those turns and banks, all the while for the US Army. Applications like oil rig it: The Drive. “This is the largest CFM56-7B contract signed by MTU Main- In 2018 alone, over one third of all contract wins were for
scanning its surroundings for trees, power transport and search-and-rescue mis- The computer - tucked into a corner be- tenance to date,” said Michael Schreyögg, chief programme CFM56 engines. The network operates a tri-location policy

lines, birds, and other aircraft. I merely sions will follow. And yes, this tech could hind the pilot’s seat and surrounded by way officer, MTU Aero Engines. for the CFM56 engine family - serving engines in Hannover,

played conductor, occasionally tapping the someday enable those flying cars we keep more test and evaluation hardware than “MTU is proud to be supporting Malaysia Airlines with Vancouver and Zhuhai. Q

tablet strapped to my right knee to direct it hearing about. it actually takes to fly the chopper - then

here or there. The company, which Lockheed Martin calculates the best route.
World Airnews | January 2020 World Airnews | January 2020
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