FLUG REVUE Special: Helicopter trends 98

GOOD ENVIRONMENT

Due to the cramped room and the large window areas, it is very difficult to efficiently air-condition helicopters in the category of up to five tons take-off weight. Using computation methods that Mercedes had originally developed for cars, Eurocopter has now succeeded in creating a model of the various temperatures inside a helicopter cabin. Because of the large windows, pilots often start sweating while it's still too cold for the passengers. New panes with a variable translucency could help in solving the problem. Two different types are currently under development. The problem: the cockpit crew's visibility must not be obstructed by the tinted glass. Along with this passive measure, the installation of an air-conditioning system is also an option. A so called high-pressure vapor-cycle cooling with carbon dioxide as refrigerant is currently being evaluated in a BK 117. First results show a high efficiency at an acceptable weight and volume.

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Last updated January 15, 1998