When Do I Need to Change a Part? – Lifetime Analysis of Dynamic Helicopter Components

Abstract

Numerous examples from the past show that a failure of a single part of an aircraft can lead to a catastrophic event. Therefore aircraft and all their dynamically loaded parts are required to have a finite Service Life Limit (SLL). This paper gives a brief overview of a calculation method used to determine lifetimes of dynamic helicopter components (fatigue evaluation) using linear damage accumulation. It is based on the Certification Specification for Large Rotorcraft CS-29 of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.