Preliminary Airworthiness Evaluation EH-1H Helicopter Quick Fix. Phase 1A

The United States Army Aviation Engineering Flight Activity conducted a Preliminary Airworthiness Evaluation of the EH-1H Helicopter Quick Fix Phase 1A to determine the effects of the installation of the AN/ARQ-33 radio countermeasures system and its associated equipment on aircraft handling qualities. The helicopter was tested from 18 through 23 August 1977 at Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida. During the tests, nine flights totaling 8.5 productive flight hours were flown. The handling qualities of the EH-1H helicopter were determined to be satisfactory with the exception of inadequate directional control in right sideward flight. An enhancing characteristic noted was the simultaneous antenna retraction systems. Inadequate directional control at right sideward velocities between 5 and 15 knots true airspeed was a deficiency. Two shortcomings were noted: the susceptibility to damage of the right FM 10-120 homing antenna during preflight/maintenance operations and the susceptibility to damage of the FM 10-242 communications antenna during running takeoff/landing maneuvers.