Known simply as the Flying Helicopter Simulator (FHS), the Eurocopter 135 Advanced Control Technology-Flying Helicopter Simulator (EC 135 ACT/FHS) is based at the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) Flight Experiments in Braunschweig. The airborne testbed, which is the only one of its kind in Europe, was developed together with Eurocopter Deutschland (ECD) and Liebherr Aerospace Lindenberg (LU).
Flying Helicopter Simulator
In the FHS development phase, the standard EC 135 helicopter was extensively modified for use as a research and testing unit. The key technologies integrated in the research helicopter include fibre optic cables to connect elements of the control system (fly-by-light), intelligent actuators and sensors, as well as modular computer architecture and state-of-the art modular cockpit displays.
In its function as an aerial testbed, the FHS can be used to demonstrate new flight control technologies; alternatively, as a flying simulator, it can be used to modify the helicopter’s flight behaviour. Thanks to this capability, the FHS's range of applications include testing new helicopter systems, training pilots, developing new control and regulation systems, as well as simulating the flight characteristics of various helicopter configurations. Pilots are therefore able to test new systems and helicopters under realistic flight conditions.
Contact
Volker Speelmann
Head of Research Infrastructures
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Executive Board department for Innovation, Transfer and Research Infrastructure
