Rotorcraft Technology: Fly-by-wire flight controls

Fly-by-wire flight controls are on the verge of making their debut in civil helicopters, decades after their introduction on fighters, airliners and, more

By Thierry Dubois • Writer

February 18, 2008

Fly-by-wire flight controls are on the verge of making their debut in civil helicopters, decades after their introduction on fighters, airliners and, more recently, business jets. Eurocopter is investigating all-electric system architectures, including flight controls, hoping to have them in service in five to 10 years. In the U.S., Sikorsky has just flown a fly-by-wire H-92.

Fly-by-wire systems electronically link the controls inside the cockpit with the exterior actuators, eliminating the traditional mechanical linkage. So far, the only in production helicopters with fly-by-wire controls are the Kazan Helicopters Ansat, a light twin certified in 2004, and the Eurocopter/Agusta/Fokker NH90 military transport. Both have hydraulic actuators. The unique Eurocopter design will incorporate all-electric flight controls.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

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