Analysis of the external airbags application expediency on a helicopter

Aeronautical and Space-Rocket Engineering

Strength and thermal conditions of flying vehicles


DOI: 10.34759/vst-2021-2-127-141

Аuthors

Nikolaev E. I.*, Yugai P. V.**

Kazan National Research Technical University named after A.N. Tupolev, 10, Karl Marks str., Kazan, 420111, Russia

*e-mail: nikolaev_ei@kazanhelicopters.com
**e-mail: pavelyugai@yandex.ru

Abstract

The presented article considers the possibility of external airbags application on a helicopter to enhance the crews and passengers survival rate under conditions of the helicopter emergency landing.

The helicopter emergency landing modelling was performed by the finite element method using the scheme of explicit time integration. The analysis includes the helicopter hitting the hard landing surface at the speed of 17.2 m/s. The values of overloads at the helicopter center of mass and main gearbox, as well as the general impact of airbags on the helicopter fuselage deformation were determined by the crash test results.

Finite element modelling of the airbag curdling was performed to determine the time of the airbag gas filling. A mathematical model determining the gas source characteristics was developed in MATLAB Simulink. Mass flow rate and temperature of the gas were determined. Finite element modeling of the airbag filling with gas was performed.

The article cites the main disadvantages of the external airbags application on helicopters. It presents statistical data on aviation incidents of helicopters of various categories. Significant fuselage deformation reduction at the external airbags application is demonstrated by the results of the study. In conclusion, the inference is drawn on the positive impact of the external airbags on the survival rate of the humans onboard of the helicopter.

The main limitations of the external airbags application on a helicopter and statistical data of aviation incidents with various categories of helicopters are presented. According to the research results, a significant reduction in fuselage deformations when using external airbags has been shown. Finally, the conclusion is made that the positive effect of external airbags on the survival rate of people on board the helicopter.

Keywords:

external airbags, gas filling, helicopter emergency landing, gas-dynamic characteristics, shock-arresting emergency system

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