Preliminary Airworthiness Evaluation OH-58C Helicopter

The United States Army Aviation Engineering Flight Activity conducted a Preliminary Airworthiness Evaluation of the OH-58C helicopter from 21 February through 4 March 1978 at Arlington, Texas. Eighteen flights consisting of 14.7 hours of productive flight test time were flown while conducting a limited handling qualities evaluation of the aircraft. Testing was conducted primary at maximum gross weight (3200 pounds) and aft center of gravity (fuselage station 112) conditions. The possibility of inadvertent activation of the night vision goggle switch located on the pilot cyclic control grip was identified as a deficiency. Activation of this switch during day flight rendered the warning and caution lights unreadable. The most significant difference in flying qualities between the OH-58C and the OH-58A was pitch-up tendency at cruise airspeed and aft center of gravity, which is a shortcoming. Insufficient left directional control in right sideward flight, excessive yaw oscillations in left sideward flight between 15 and 39 knots true airspeed, and excessive pitch and yaw oscillations in rearward flight are also shortcomings. Eight additional shortcomings were noted. (Author)