Engine/Airframe Response Evaluation of the AH-64A Helicopter

An engineering evaluation of the AH-64A helicopter was conducted in Mosa, Arizona, on 8 and 9 May 1985. The engine controls on the test aircraft had been modified to provide an interim correction to the poor engine/airframe response characteristics which had been reported as a deficiency on previous tests. Two configurations of engine controls were evaluated. The purpose of the test was to determine if the modified engine controls corrected or improved the engine/airframe response. Maneuvers investigated included quick stops, pull-ups, pushovers, jump takeoffs, and recoveries from low power descents. Both configurations of engine controls were found to improve the engine/airframe response, with one configuration better than the other. However, the engine/airframe response was unacceptable with either configuration and continues to be a deficiency.