The development of a simulation technique for the analysis of helicopter offshore operations

The helicopter has been accepted as being the only form of transport that can serve reliably and rapidly the routine operational needs of oilrig platforms. The role of unmanned simulation studies in this field is important, since it can provide a positive and immediate contribution towards the safety issues associated with helicopter operations in this environment. Previous theoretical simulation studies have been of limited scope due to the lack of emphasis placed on pilot strategy and the simplified rotorcraft models employed. In this research programme, a conceptually novel simulation technique (HIFIS) that includes the ability to model pilot reaction time has been developed. A helicopter operating in the proximity of an oil rig is often required to fly in flight regimes that are unique to the offshore environment. As a result, the helicopter mathematical model employed must be able to accurately replicate these conditions if the correct aircraft behaviour is to be portrayed. Consequently much research effort has been attributed to the rotorcraft model employed to ensure that it did not impose any limitations on the investigative programme. In this research programme, knowledge of the manoeuvres performed in the offshore environment has been provided mostly in terms of a narrative description of the corresponding pilot strategy. For this investigation, a mathematical model of the manoeuvre trajectory is required to drive the HIFIS simulation algorithm. In order to formulate such models, a generic method that transforms the narrative of the pilot strategy into validated expressions of the aircraft trajectory has been developed. One of the most significant aspects of helicopter offshore operations is the possibility of an engine failure in the proximity of the oilrig platform. The task of directly simulating such a failure is difficult as the original manoeuvre as intended by the pilot may be unflyable due to the limited power available. In order to portray this feature, a specialised simulation technique has been developed that allows the pilot strategy in response to a failure to be accurately determined. The HIFIS simulation technique has been demonstrated by its application to the investigation of rotorcraft safety related topics during take-off of landing manoeuvres. During the course of this investigation, the ability of the rotorcraft to perform a manoeuvre has been explored in terms of the key parameters that would be available to a pilot in practice