Technical note | A Comparison of Civil and Military, European and United States Regulations and Standards for the Certification of Helicopter Structure

Abstract

A comparison of a range of civil and military, United States and European regulations and structural certification standards for the fatigue substantiation of rotary wing aircraft structure was conducted. The comparison utilised a graphical hierarchy-based methodology developed as an improvement on text-based and spreadsheet-based methodologies identified in a review of relevant literature. The result of the comparison activity was a thorough, updateable, user-friendly, interpretive and current comparison product that will be used to guide the Technical Airworthiness Authority and Defence Science and Technology Organisation researchers on the intent of the subject documents and the similarities and differences between them.

Executive Summary

The Australian Defence Force Airworthiness Authority relies on the Technical Airworthiness Authority to interpret technical airworthiness regulations. To achieve this, a thorough understanding of the similarities and differences between regulations and certification standards is required. Such an understanding can be gained through a structured comparison of the relevant regulations and certification standards.

This report details a comparison of a range of civil and military, United States and European regulations and structural certification standards for the fatigue substantiation of rotary wing aircraft structure. The comparison utilised a graphical hierarchy-based methodology developed within the 'Rationale TM' critical thinking software program and was designed as an improvement on text-based and spreadsheet-based methodologies identified in a review of relevant literature.The result of the comparison activity was a thorough, updateable, user-friendly, interpretive and current comparison product that will be used to guide the Technical Airworthiness Authority and Defence Science and Technology Organisation researchers on the intent of the subject documents and the similarities and differences between them.

The greater understanding of the regulations and structural certification standards gained from the comparison activity described in this report will improve the ability of the Technical Airworthiness Authority, and Defence Science and Technology Organisation researchers, to conduct airworthiness certification activities for Australian Defence Force rotary wing aircraft.