UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR

**Bureau of Land Management**

**National Aviation Office**

**3833 S. Development Avenue**

**Boise ID 83705**

3/31/04

**TO:** IHOP Steering Committee

**FROM:** Kevin Hamilton, BLM

**RE:** Proposal for Automated Helicopter Performance Planning

**[Background]{.underline}**

In November of 2003, the new Interagency Load Calculation form was
approved for use. An Electronic Load Calculation was also developed as a
Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. The electronic version performs
mathematical functions automatically, however the pilot must still
derive Computed Gross Weight from flight manual performance charts. The
electronic form also provides "pop-up" instructions and comments,
creating an effective training tool.

Development of the electronic load calculation was the first step in
providing the field with automated and enhanced helicopter performance
planning. Performance planning is critical to safe and efficient
helicopter operations. However, until now, this important task has been
primitive, cumbersome and very challenging to perform during flight.

**[Proposal]{.underline}**

Provide the field with "Automated Helicopter Performance Planning" by
linking the electronic load calculation with computed gross weight
look-up tables specific to the particular helicopter. The tabular
performance data (HIGE/HOGE) is derivative of the appropriate Rotorcraft
Flight Manual performance charts for various combinations of Pressure
Altitude (PA) and Outside Air Temperature (OAT). When PA and OAT are
entered into the load calculation form, computed gross weights are
extracted from the look-up tables and allowable payloads are computed
automatically.

Central to the success of this proposal is the reliability of the
tabular performance data. Reliable data must be aircraft specific,
current, accurate and authenticated.

The benefits of automated performance planning are as follows:

-   Saves Time and Effort (Efficiency)

-   Reduces Possibility of Error (Safety/Efficiency)

-   Refines Performance Planning (Efficiency)

-   Promotes Standardization (Safety/Efficiency)

-   May be performed with PC, Laptop or PDA

The following chart displays different options for deriving the tabular
data and the issues associated with each option.

+------------+--------------+--------------+-------------+------------+
|            | **1 -- PIC** | **2 -        | **3 - HIP** | **4 -      |
|            |              | Vendor**     |             | Mfg**      |
+------------+--------------+--------------+-------------+------------+
| D          | On the first | As part of   | Government  | Aircraft   |
| escription | day of       | bid package, | inspector   | ma         |
|            | contract,    | company      | pilots      | nufacturer |
|            | the PIC      | submits      | derive      | provides   |
|            | computes     | completed    | IGE/OGE     | digital    |
|            | Gross Weight | IGE/OGE      | Computed    | p          |
|            | for all PA   | Computed     | Gross       | erformance |
|            | and OAT      | Gross Weight | Weight      | data to    |
|            | combinations | tables       | tables for  | vendor     |
|            | using the    | derived from | each make,  | and/or the |
|            | appropriate  | Flight       | model &     | g          |
|            | Flight       | Manual       | variant.    | overnment. |
|            | Manual       | performance  | Assign      |            |
|            | IGE/OGE      | charts       | appropriate |            |
|            | performance  | specific to  | tables at   |            |
|            | charts.      | the offered  | the time of |            |
|            |              | aircraft.    | contract    |            |
|            |              |              | award.      |            |
+------------+--------------+--------------+-------------+------------+
| Auth       | Signed by    | Signed by    | Authorized  | Man        |
| entication | PIC and      | vendor       | by HIP.     | ufacturer/ |
|            | Helicopter   | pre          |             | FAA        |
|            | Manager      | sident/Chief |             | approved   |
|            |              | Pilot;       |             |            |
|            |              | validated by |             |            |
|            |              | HIP.         |             |            |
+------------+--------------+--------------+-------------+------------+
| Update     | Once every   | Once every   | None        | None       |
| Cycle      | year or as   | year or as   |             |            |
|            | necessary    | necessary    |             |            |
+------------+--------------+--------------+-------------+------------+
| Data       | 1000'        | 1000'        | 1000'       | Infinite   |
| Refinement | increments   | increments   | increments  |            |
|            |              |              |             |            |
|            | 5^o^ C       | 5^o^ C       | 5^o^ C      |            |
|            | increments   | increments   | increments  |            |
+------------+--------------+--------------+-------------+------------+
| Advantages | Employs      | Employs      | S           | St         |
|            | traditional  | traditional  | tandardizes | andardizes |
|            | performance  | performance  | data for    | data for   |
|            | planning     | planning     | make,       | make,      |
|            | methods.     | methods.     | model,      | model,     |
|            |              |              | variant.    | variant.   |
|            |              |              |             |            |
|            |              |              | May utilize | May        |
|            |              |              | same data   | utilize    |
|            |              |              | base as     | same data  |
|            |              |              | Helicopter  | base as    |
|            |              |              | Performance | Helicopter |
|            |              |              | &           | P          |
|            |              |              | Efficiency  | erformance |
|            |              |              | Program     | &          |
|            |              |              | [and]{      | Efficiency |
|            |              |              | .underline} | Program    |
|            |              |              | Fire        | [and]{.    |
|            |              |              | Program     | underline} |
|            |              |              | Analysis    | Fire       |
|            |              |              | (FPA)       | Program    |
|            |              |              |             | Analysis   |
|            |              |              |             | (FPA)      |
|            |              |              |             |            |
|            |              |              |             | Very       |
|            |              |              |             | refined    |
|            |              |              |             | p          |
|            |              |              |             | erformance |
|            |              |              |             | output.    |
+------------+--------------+--------------+-------------+------------+
| Dis        | Data may     | Data may     | Government  | Ma         |
| advantages | vary between | vary between | assumes     | nufacturer |
|            | same make,   | same make,   | res         | data and   |
|            | model,       | model,       | ponsibility | FAA        |
|            | variant.     | variant.     | for         | approval   |
|            |              | Increased    | accuracy of | may be     |
|            |              | HIP          | data.       | difficult  |
|            |              | workload.    |             | to obtain. |
+------------+--------------+--------------+-------------+------------+

**[Recommendations]{.underline}**

a)  Allow the immediate utilization of Option #1 - PIC, by Exclusive Use
    contract helicopter programs [only]{.underline}. IHOP to provide
    electronic formats to the field.

b)  Continue research and development of Option #3 -- HIP, in
    conjunction with database development for Helicopter Performance &
    Efficiency Program (A-Suite). Potential implementation in 2005.
    Workload to produce database benefits several applications.

c)  Consult with industry and FAA regarding feasibility of obtaining
    approved digital performance data (Option #4). This is the most
    advantageous and most desirable method for obtaining computed gross
    weight look-up tables.