HAL completes noise measurement flight trials for Advance Light Helicopter for European Certification

NEW DELHI: As part of the process to acquire certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency ( EASA) for Advance Light Helicopter-Dhruv, HAL has carried out noise measurement flight trials at Mysuru airport recently in compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

The trials involved advance acoustic programming and compensation of atmospheric variables against measured noise levels. A Spanish company Anotec Consulting was contracted to provide hardware, software and technical support for the programme.

The objective of this process is to measure the external aircraft noise levels in three flight conditions: take-off, approach and flyover. The noise measurement test programme starts with the identification of low acoustic profile test site and meeting the geometrical size of runway and cross runway distances. Earlier, a survey was conducted by HAL in coordination with EASA and the Spanish firm for assessment of test sites at Kolar, Hosur and Mysuru. The EASA finally approved Mysuru airfield as the test site suitable for noise measurement which met the ICAO requirements.






During noise measurement flight testing, eight flights constituting of 96 noise runs were carried out as part of practice and certification runs. Validity of the runs was considered based on satisfactory weather and flight parameters during the run.

"The EASA representatives witnessed the entire flight test and preliminary analysis of the recorded noise data, weather parameters and the aircraft parameters shows that the noise levels are within the acceptable limits specified by ICAO for ALH", said T. Suvarna Raju, CMD of HAL.

"HAL produced ALH Dhruv helicopter has a proven track record in both military and civil operations. It is designed to meet the requirement of both military and civil operators. Dhruv has also been exported to Ecuador, Mauritius and Maldives. Dhruv is particularly useful in meeting the arduous tasks in difficult terrains," the HAL release said.

Dhruv is being operated by Indian Air Force, Indian Army, Indian Navy, Coast Guard, BSF and State governments since 2002. More than 140 Dhruv helicopters are in operation logging close to 1,30,000 flight hours.

Dhruv is a multi-role, multi-mission new generation helicopter in 5.5 tonne weight class and meets Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) specifications.