Date: 23 Dec 2003
Time: 16:34
NH Industries has confirmed that, ‘for the first time in the world’, the NH90 PT3 aircraft successfully flew in December with full fly-by-wire capability (no mechanical back-up).
The 50-minute trial was conducted by Philippe Boutry (experimental test pilot), Denis Trivier (flight test engineer) and Jean-Claude Rabany (flight engineer).
The PT3 has been converted to the full FBW configuration (representative of serial production). Four NH90 prototypes (PT2, 3, 4 and 5) were equipped with an initial mixed system, FBW on the pilot station and mechanical back-up on the co-pilot station, fitted during the development phase for safety reasons.
In accordance with the NH90 programme schedule, the PT3 will be dedicated to the system qualification flights planned into the FBW maturity programme, with the participation of the PT4, next to be upgraded with full FBW capability.