Engineer Design Test 1, Hughes YAH-64, Advanced Attack Helicopter

A Handling Qualities Evaluation, Engineer Design Test 1, was conducted of the Hughes Helicopter Company YAH-64 advanced attack helicopter from 22 April 1978 through 1 May 1978 at Palomar Airport, Carlsbad, CA elevation 320 feet. A total of 15 flights were conducted during 21.8 hours 17.4 hours productive. The objectives of the test were to reevaluate certain flight characteristics which were undesirable during Phase 1 testing, and to assess the effect of design changes on aircraft handling qualities. This phase of the aircraft development was not intended to address all of the undesirable flight characteristics uncovered during the Phase 1 testing. Many enhancing characteristics, deficiencies, and shortcomings, reported during the government competitive test GCT remain valid. The YAH-64 continues to have the potential to be developed into an excellent attack helicopter.