ALH Dhruv receives EASA certificationIn a major boost to India’s indigenous helicopter, HAL Dhruv has received restricted type certification on 4th July from European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in Belgium. Since 2003, EASA is responsible for the certification of aircraft in the EU and for some European non-EU Countries. This certificate testifies that the type of aircraft meets the safety requirements set by the European Union.EASA Certification processBefore a newly developed aircraft model may enter into operation in Europe, it must obtain a type certificate from the EASA. It is a 4 step process:1. The aircraft manufacturer presents the project to EASA when it is considered to have reached a sufficient degree of maturity. The EASA certification team and the set of rules that will apply for the certification of this specific aircraft type are being established (Certification Basis). 2. EASA and the manufacturer need to define and agree on the means to demonstrate compliance of the aircraft type with each requirement of the Certification Basis. This goes hand in hand with the identification of EASA’s “level of involvement” during the certification process. 3. The aircraft manufacturer must demonstrate compliance of its product with regulatory requirements: the structure, engines, control systems, electrical systems and flight performance are analysed against the Certification Basis. This compliance demonstration is done by analysis during ground & flight testing. EASA experts perform a detailed examination of this compliance demonstration, by means of document reviews in their offices in Cologne and by attending some of these compliance demonstrations (test witnessing).This is the longest phase of the type-certification process. In the case of large aircraft, the period to complete the compliance demonstration is set at five years and may be extended, if necessary. 4. The last step is Technical closure and issue of approval. If technically satisfied with the compliance demonstration by the manufacturer, EASA closes the investigation and issues the certificate.The EASA certification earned by HAL for ALH Dhruv establishes that HAL is capable of designing helicopter platforms meeting stringent European certification requirements.Recent issues with ALHThe army, air force, navy, and coast guard operate more than 330 ALHs. The safety record came under scrutiny after a string of accidents earlier this year. The Bengaluru-based Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) under DRDO reached the conclusion that the design review of the booster control rods is mandatory after an expert committee, formed in the backdrop of the navy ALH incident on March 8, explored the possible failures that led to the incident. These rods allow pilots to control the helicopter’s motion, and any failure can severely affect power input to the rotor blades and cause accidents.The March 8 incident was a technical failure – an error in the assembly of serrated washers in the booster control rods. CEMILAC has recommended short and long-term measures to enhance the safety of the ALH.On 23rd April CEMILAC wrote a letter to the three services, and the coast guard that the design, development and qualification of the steel booster control rods that are tolerant to assembly errors shall be expedited, and the compliance of the new design shall be aimed for implementation in six months to one year.CEMILAC prescribed measures for the resumption of operations of the ALH, Rudra (the armed version of ALH) and the light combat helicopter (LCH).As per CEMILAC, the clearance for these platforms, limited to 100 flight hours each, would be given after mandatory inspections. Further clearance for up to 500 flight hours or one year, whichever is earlier, would be based on the successful completion of two critical tests by HAL.These tests involve the flight testing of two helicopters with instrumented control rod assembly for verifying the multi-axis loads on the control rods, and the fatigue testing of the rods with correctly assembled serrated washers to confirm their original capability.
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