TM 1-6625-724-13&P
0008 00
0008 00-3
5. Selecting a Flight ID
Selection of a flight ID is required in order to display data or run diagnostics on data previously stored in
the AVA. A flight ID is a time and date stamp associated with a particular set of collected data identifying
when that set of data was collected. A list of existing flight IDs for the aircraft type selected appears when
the Flight ID, figure 1, selection in the Main Menu is highlighted by placing the inverse video cursor over
the Flight ID selection in the Main Menu and pressing the DO key. The Main Menu will reappear with the
Aircraft Type selection highlighted. The QUIT key can be employed at any time to cancel the flight ID
entry and return to the Main Menu.
6. Discussion
The AVA contains a database that stores the aircraft configurations, measurement setups, diagnostic
coefficients, display formats, and collected data. The entry of the aircraft-specific setup information allows
the access of these unique parameters. Each aircraft type has a customized configuration file, which
determines the measurements to be made, how the data is to be displayed, and the way that the
corrections are generated.
The AVA database features allow the user to access data that has been previously collected and is
currently stored in the database. That data can be displayed or the data can be analyzed by the
diagnostic algorithm, as examples of the system's flexibility.
Data stored previously in the system can be reviewed by entering the aircraft type, tail number, Flight
Plan, and flight ID into the Main Menu. A shorter method is to enter just the flight ID into the main setup
menu, since the flight ID is linked with the aircraft type, tail number, and Flight Plan automatically.
Aircraft type names can contain up to six alphanumeric characters. The aircraft type name is typically the
name or an abbreviation of the aircraft name or designator (e.g., UH-60, AH-64A, etc.). The operator
need not be concerned about what name to enter, since the names of the aircraft are determined by the
pre-stored setup files, and appear on the display when the Aircraft Type selection is highlighted and the
DO key is pressed at the Main Menu.
Tail numbers consist of seven alphanumeric characters. It is meant to be a unique number, which
identifies a particular aircraft within that aircraft type. It can be entered by the operator or be entered into
the database via the setup file for that particular aircraft type.
Flight Plans that contain the Test States at which measurement data is to be collected are also generated
as part of the aircraft configuration file. They are typically arranged so that specific data and diagnostics
are run as part of a common required maintenance operation. For instance, there will typically be
separate Flight Plans for the ground, flight, and tail. Descriptions of the three typical types of Flight Plans
are as follows:
(a) The GROUND Flight Plan is used to collect data and execute diagnostics prior to flight. This allows
limits to be checked and preflight corrections to be made so that flight safety limits are not exceeded
and valuable flight time wasted. This Flight Plan is used primarily to bring the rotor into a stable
condition after major maintenance has been accomplished.
(b) The FLIGHT Flight Plan allows the collection of all the data necessary to assess the main rotor track
and balance while in flight and to reduce vibration to acceptable limits.
(c) The TAIL Flight Plan allows the collection of data necessary for evaluating tail rotor balance.
Three separate Flight Plans are used because separate diagnostic programs are employed within
each Flight Plan.
As part of each Flight Plan, there are up to ten separate flight conditions where measurements are
taken. These flight conditions are called Test States. At each Test State the required measurements
are taken, which has been predefined in the aircraft configuration file.
The flight ID number is automatically assigned at the start of data acquisition. The flight ID consists
of the date and time at which measurements were started. The ID is generated by the internal
system clock.
b. Main Menu
Once the main setup selections have been completed, the Main Menu reappears, figure 2, containing the
entered data. The options available from this menu are: MEASURE, DISPLAY, DIAGNOSTICS, and
