Instrument-Flight-Rules Capability Evaluation CH-54B (TARHE) Helicopter.

Airworthiness and flying qualities tests were conducted on the Sikorsky CH-54B Skycrane helicopter to determine its instrument-flight-rules capability and compliance with MIL-H-8501A. The flying qualities of the CH-54B in the Army pod configuration are acceptable for flight under instrument-flight-rules conditions with both automatic flight control systems operating. The CH-54B should be equipped with dual visual omnirange receivers and a marker beacon receiver. Additional testing should be accomplished to quantitatively determine the instrument-flight-rules capability of the CH-54B with external single-point sling loads.