A large-scale helicopter model and its validation

The use of modelling and simulation in any sphere of work must be tempered by an understanding of the extent to which such models are valid. The conditions under which modelling deficiencies and approximations cause accuracy to be lost must be clearly defined so that research or experimental investigations using such models yield meaningful results. This paper considers the validation of a large-scale nonlinear simulation of the EH-101 helicopter, comparing the performance of the model with actual flight data, taken from the real helicopter. The structure and implementation of the model are described together with the proposed validation technique, pilot modelling functions and tuning approaches.