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The AHS International 64^th Annual Forum & Technology Display
April 29 – May 1, 2008
Montréal, Canada
Forum 64 Call For Papers
The International Crossroads for Vertical Flight

The AHS 64^th Annual Forum & Technology Display will take place April 29 – May 1, 2008 at the Montréal Convention Center, Montréal , Canada. The theme of next year’s conference is “The International Crossroads for Vertical Flight.”

The Forum is a superb chance to present and discuss advances in every area of vertical flight technology, design and applications. Technical sessions will be sponsored by each of the Society’s Technical Committees.

The Forum Technical Chair for this event is Michael J. Hirschberg, CENTRA Technology, (571) 218-4417; fax: (703) 741-7807; e-mail:  hirschberg@centratechnology.com  The Forum Deputy Chair is Professor Farhan Gandhi, The Pennsylvania State University, (814) 865-1164; fax: (814) 865-7092; e-mail:  fgandhi@engr.psu.edu

Abstracts must be received no later than September 28, 2007. Late submittals will be difficult or impossible to include in the evaluation process. Abstracts are to be submitted to the web site http://www.miracd.com/AHS2008. Abstracts may not be larger than 2MB and should be submitted in PDF format (the web site can convert most files to PDF). They should be approximately 1,000 words, present the status of the background data to be used, summarize figures and illustrations to be used (with samples), and include a summary of important conclusions. 

Abstracts will be accepted in a variety of technical disciplines including:  Acoustics; Advanced Vertical Flight; Aerodynamics; Aircraft Design; Avionics & Systems; Crash Safety; Crew Stations & Human Factors; Dynamics; Flight Simulation; Handling Qualities; History; AHS Historical Film Festival; HUMS; Operations; Product Support; Propulsion; Structures & Materials; Systems Engineering; Test & Evaluation; and Uninhabited VTOL Aircraft & Rotorcraft.

Submittal of an abstract is a professional commitment: if the abstract is accepted, the author commits to prepare a final paper, attend the Forum and make a presentation based on that final paper. If an author finds that he or she will be unable to make the presentation, then it is incumbent upon him or her to find a substitute presenter. Abstract acceptance will be based in part on the submitter’s prior history in following through with their previous commitments. Papers presented previously are not eligible for consideration. This ineligibility includes papers or presentations (or facsimiles thereof) that are submitted for presentation at a national meeting of any professional organization at any time prior to the Forum. One author may present no more than two papers.

Other Important Dates in the Process:

Authors will be notified of paper selection by Friday, October 19, 2007.
Papers must be submitted electronically to the Mira web site by Friday, February 15, 2008.

The AHS Forum is open to an international audience. As such, it is the policy of the AHS that all papers submitted for inclusion in the Proceedings and all presentations made at the Forum are completely unrestricted. That is, they are not allowed to contain any proprietary, sensitive, classified, or otherwise controlled information. Authors should make note of this policy when submitting abstracts. It is the author’s responsibility to obtain appropriate clearances, which sometimes takes several weeks, of their abstract, paper, and presentation in order to meet all deadlines.

No Paper – No Podium Rule

A general “No Paper –No Podium” policy will be in effect for all contributed papers.  This policy means that an author will not be scheduled to speak if the paper has not been properly submitted at the time of the Forum. Any paper received after the final submittal date will not be included in the printed or CD-ROM version of the AHS 64^th Annual Forum Proceedings. No addendum will be printed in the aftermath of the Forum. 

Any authors who do not submit their paper by the deadline must bring 50 copies of their paper to the presentation and submit a PDF of the paper to Kim Smith at AHS International Headquarters and to their session chairs prior to their presentation in order to be allowed to make their presentation at the Forum. Papers not included in the CD-ROM nor in the printed Proceedings are NOT eligible for consideration for the Alfred Gessow Forum Best Paper Award.

Alfred Gessow Forum Best Paper Award

The authors of the best paper presented at the Annual Forum, as determined by the Committee Chairs, Session Chairs and the Technical Council, will receive a plaque. The winning author is invited to present his or her paper at the European Rotorcraft Forum (ERF). The ERF organizers provide complimentary registration and accommodations as well as a copy of the ERF proceedings.

Registration

Presenters of all papers to be delivered at technical sessions, both regular and special sessions, are eligible to pay reduced Forum speaker registration fees, whether members or non-members of AHS.

Important Passport Information

U.S. citizens must now have a passport to return from Canada by air.  Starting in 2008, citizens may also be required to have a passport when returning by land or sea. All potential Forum 64 attendees who are not Canadian citizens should check the expiration date of their passport to ensure that it will be current through the dates of the Forum. Recent news about extreme delays of 12 weeks or more to receive passports suggests that anyone considering attending Forum 64 should apply for a passport or renew an expiring passport as soon as possible.

U.S. citizens should check the State Dept. website for the latest information:  http://www.travel.state.gov Specific tips for travelers to Canada can be found at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/regional/regional_1170.html

Annual Forum Technical Sessions

Acoustics

Papers are invited addressing recent advancements in the study of internal and external rotorcraft noise generation, propagation and control (active and passive). Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: current research contributing to a basic understanding of fundamental aerodynamic noise sources such as rotor harmonic noise, impulsive noise and broadband noise as well as interaction between various rotorcraft noise sources for both manned and unmanned rotorcraft. Appropriate topics include rotorcraft component and full system noise prediction methodology development and validation, wind tunnel and full scale flight test acoustics measurements, new procedures for acoustic data acquisition, reduction or analysis, active and passive rotor noise reduction techniques and noise abatement flight operations, acoustic propagation models and psychoacoustics analysis of rotorcraft noise. Papers dealing with the development or implementation of national or international civil noise regulations are also encouraged. Appropriate interior noise topics include the application of finite element and statistical energy analysis based techniques to predict the complex noise field inside rotorcraft cabins, active noise control applications for rotorcraft cabins and crew stations, and concepts in engine and transmission noise reduction.

Session Chair: Royce Snider Bell Helicopter (817) 280-5084 rsnider@bellhelicopter.textron.com Session Co-Chair: Dr. Ram JanakiRam The Boeing Co. (480) 891-6057 ram.d.janakiram@boeing.com

Advanced Vertical Flight

Papers are sought that focus on advanced vertical flight concepts beyond the conventional helicopter to include the tilt wing, tilt rotor, and slowed/stopped rotor concepts, as well as non-rotorcraft systems such as lift fans, lift engines, lift or lift/cruise vectoring nozzles, thrust augmentation devices, and attitude (reaction) control systems. Of special interest are papers that treat piloted flight simulation and full and model-scale ground, wind tunnel and flight-testing of these vehicles. Also of interest are papers that address conceptual air vehicle design, flight systems, systems integration, and flight path control for advanced vertical flight systems. In addition, papers are encouraged that concentrate on requirements, related emerging and enabling technologies, and operations and maintenance of such aircraft.

Session Chair: Rebecca Cervoni Booz Allen Hamilton (703) 816-5296 cervoni_rebecca@bah.com Session Co-Chair: CDR Mark Couch Institute for Defense Analysis (703) 845-2000 mcouch@ida.org

Aerodynamics

Papers are invited that address recent accomplishments in all areas of rotorcraft and vertical and/or short take-off and landing (V/STOL) aerodynamics. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: computational fluid dynamics techniques, analytical methodology, experimental aerodynamic and/or flight test results, flow visualization methods and results, correlation, aerodynamic design methods for components or complete aircraft, unique aerodynamic modeling, interactional aerodynamics, low Reynolds number aerodynamics, aerodynamic flow control for components or complete aircraft, and computations or measurements of high angle of attack, unsteady, or vortex flows. Abstracts are limited to no longer than 4 pages (12 pt., single-spaced) including figures.

Session Chair: Dr. Naipei (Peter) Bi U.S. Navy, Carderock Div. (301) 227-4236 naipei.bi@navy.mil Session Co-Chair: Dr. Gloria Yamauchi NASA Ames Research Center (650) 604-6719 gyamauchi@mail.arc.nasa.gov

Aircraft Design

Papers are invited from industry, government, academia, and operators on all aspects of rotary wing or vertical flight aircraft designs, manned and unmanned, including, but not limited to: design and fabrication of dynamic systems or components, airframe components, or entire vehicles; conceptual, preliminary or product design development tools and processes; and analytical modeling leading to advanced rotary wing or vertical flight technologies. Papers addressing improvements to aircraft/component performance, mission capabilities, safety, affordability, and/or cost effectiveness are encouraged.

Session Chair: Martin Sekula NASA Langley Research Center (757) 864-1269 martin.k.sekula@nasa.gov Session Co-Chair: Dr. Richard Markiewicz DSLT (44) 1252-451792 rhmarkiewicz@dstl.gov.uk

Avionics & Systems

Papers that address avionics systems, subsystems, architectures, components, and functions for military, civilian, law enforcement, or dual use manned and unmanned rotorcraft applications are invited.  This is meant to include emerging embedded electronic and external architectures in which future rotorcraft will operate (e.g., satellite- based navigations systems, weather detection and alerting, data links, command and control structures, tactical internet, battlefield digitization, surveillance and CNS/ATM).  Of particular interest are those papers that address developmental avionics or those that describe innovative approaches in dealing with rotorcraft affordability, mission performance enhancement, survivability, and/or continued viability in the military and civilian marketplaces and operational environments. Future vehicle management systems, mission avionics, or new concepts related to the integration of vehicle management and mission systems are of high interest. Papers describing the designs, performance, and justifying the selection of specific interconnect network data bus standards and protocols, processors, network components, controls, displays, cockpits, enhanced and synthetic vision, and software systems should be submitted. Descriptions of scientific and engineering works in the utilization of COTS hardware and software technologies and market driven open systems standards are welcome. The Society encourages the submission of papers related to pilotage, navigation, air traffic management, surveillance, communications, sensors, flight controls, automatic or assisted landing systems, integrated modes, cognitive decision aiding, manned/unmanned vehicle teaming, and avionics, engine, flight systems, and airframe monitoring systems. Furthermore, papers related to the harmonization of FAA certification and DoD airworthiness qualification requirements are solicited.

Session Chair: Donald S. Anttila Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. (203) 386-4707 danttila@sikorsky.com Session Co-Chair: Ryland Barlow U.S. Army (757) 878-0730 x233 ryland.Barlow@us.army.mil

Crash Safety

Crashworthiness topics of interest include, but are not limited to: historical basis for crashworthiness design criteria; advancements relating to energy absorbing systems such as landing gears, composite airframe structures, seats, internal/external inflatable devices, and restraint systems; human tolerance and injury criteria; post-impact flotation; crashworthy fuel systems including range extension tanks; modeling and simulation considering water, soil and rigid impact surfaces; testing and model validation; and methods of accident investigation, data retrieval, collection and analyses.

Session Chair Heidi R. Moore Naval Air Systems Command (301) 342-2795 heidi.r.moore@navy.mil

Crew Stations & Human Factors

Papers are invited for all aspects of human factors engineering relating to rotorcraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, and other V/STOL aircraft, including crew systems design, pilot vehicle interface, maintainer accessibility, ground support, and air traffic control. Areas of interest range from concept formulation through design, development and evaluation. Other man-machine interfaces including mission crew member roles, maintainer roles, ground support, equipment design, air traffic control, and cost of ownership considerations are also crucial factors in delivering safe and effective products to the customer and provide fertile ground for human factors engineering applications. Suggested topics include the role of crew systems integration within the concurrent engineering environment; use of front-end analysis defining user roles, functional allocations and measures of effectiveness; integrated crew station design; innovative control and display concepts; effective mission management techniques; aural, visual and kinesthetic display concepts; prototyping of conceptual designs; virtual reality displays; synthetic vision; tactical decision aids and associated systems; information management; and the interface of crew systems with other vehicle subsystems. Computer aided/assisted tools which support the design or analysis in any of the above functions are also of considerable interest. Papers may emphasize analytical, laboratory, simulation, operational or flight test results. Experimental results along with attendant conclusions or recommendations for crew station design are particularly encouraged.

Session Chair: Margaret (Meg) MacIsaac Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. (203) 386-7760 mmacisaac@sikorsky.com Session Co-Chair: Nicole Garrett Lockheed Martin Systems Integration (607) 751-2028 Nicole.garrett@lmco.com

Dynamics

Flight Simulation

The AHS Flight Simulation Technical Committee calls for papers and authors who: Advance and demonstrate the use of simulation as an essential foundation for rotorcraft and Vertical Take-Off and Landing engineering disciplines; Explore advanced or novel simulation technologies, especially in-flight and real time and hypertime simulation; Explore the use of simulation to evaluate advanced or novel rotorcraft concepts and applications in stand alone or distributed environments; Address applications using ADS-33D/E, FAA 120-63, or JAR-STD 1H guidelines and issues related to rotorcraft simulation certification; Apply simulation to UAVs, slung loads, urban operations, and shipboard operations Address specialized topics relating to verification and validation methodologies; Determine the overall simulator/component fidelity and system/subsystem fidelity and pilot cueing requirements for specific tasks; Focus on safety and demonstrate commercial or military flight operations quality assurance; or Demonstrate quantitative cost savings using simulation compared to traditional approaches toward design, flight-testing and training.

Session Chair: Dr. Geoffrey J. Jeram AMRDEC/Westar (256) 955-6837 geoffrey.jeram@us.army.mil

Health and Usage Management Systems (HUMS) – Condition Based Maintenance (CBM)

Papers are solicited in the following topics within the area of rotorcraft health and usage management and condition based maintenance: advanced monitoring technologies, including structural health monitoring, sensors, algorithms, processing methods, data fusion and mining; life and usage assessment, open system interfaces and system architectures; integration into autonomous logistics; tools and models, implementation and certification of HUMS for maintenance credits; diagnostic and prognostic validation methodology for health and usage algorithms; approaches to reduce HUMS weight and costs; and comparisons of HUMS benefits and costs, operational quality and maintenance savings.

Session Chair: Robab Safa-Bakhsh The Boeing Co. (610) 591-6154 robab.safa-bakhsh@boeing.com

History

The AHS History Committee seeks scholarly papers and first-hand accounts that facilitate the preservation and understanding of vertical flight history. Of particular interest are papers documenting important but not well-known developments in vertical flight technologies or vehicles, rediscovery of forgotten pioneers, or events involved in understanding specific phenomena. Personal involvement in the subject matter or extensive research and documentation are highly desirable. Exceptions can be made from the no-paper/no-podium policy for first-hand accounts.

Session Chair: Professor J. Gordon Leishman University of Maryland (301) 405-1126 leishman@umd.edu

New for Forum 64!

Special Session: AHS Historical Film Festival

The AHS History Committee is soliciting film footage for an evening event on Monday, April 28th, prior to the first day of the Forum. Please contact Roger Connor at connorr@si.edu with an abstract of the proposed content no later than Friday, September 14, 2007. The abstract should include a brief description of the content, format, length and historical significance. Selected submissions must be received no later that February 15, 2008. Desired types of film include, but are not limited to: Significant events in rotorcraft and V/STOL history that have rarely been seen on film. Projects, programs, and operations that predate on-going efforts in the field (e.g. XV-15 but not V-22; UH-34 but not CH-46, etc) Kitschy portrayals of aircraft – the older the better (e.g. humorous newsreels from the ‘40s and ‘50s) Formats Can be DVD, VHS, Betacam SP, U-Matic, 35mm film stock, 16 mm (not nitrate) Length We are looking for fairly short features (typical running time less than 5 minutes).  They need not have sound. Long documentary-type productions are discouraged.  Longer segments of worthwhile contributions may be edited down for run time. Presentation Segments can have their own narrated tracks or a short introductory statement (1 – 2 minutes) may be prepared to read beforehand. Selection of Best Film Presentation of  “People’s Choice Award” will be made to recognize the most impressive historical film.

Session Chair: Roger Connor Smithsonian Institution (202) 633-2634 connorr@si.edu

Operations

Papers are invited that address military and civil rotorcraft operations and technological solutions in the following areas: concepts of operations, tactics, techniques, procedures, tools, technologies and methodologies, rotorcraft survivability and vulnerability analysis, electronic decision aiding to operations, command, control, communications techniques, intelligence and data gathering applications, supportability techniques, and extreme weather operations techniques.

Session Chair: Kendall Goodman Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (817) 280-4826 kgoodman@bellhelicopter.textron.com Session Co-Chair: Rupert Seals The Boeing Co. (610) 591-3092 rupert.seals@boeing.com

Product Support

Propulsion

The AHS Propulsion Committee invites papers that present new information on propulsion for rotorcraft and other vertical flight aircraft, including unique propulsion challenges of UAVs. Recommended topics include turbo-shaft engines, rotorcraft drive systems, other propulsion and power generation concepts, propulsion system integration, and related airframe/engine technologies. Of specific interest are papers addressing recent approaches to improved safety, improved propulsion systems performance and operational characteristics, advanced power concepts, reduced operating costs, weight or management requirements, integrated/advanced electronic control systems (to include sensors), installation concepts, integration considerations, environmental impacts and requirements, the use of simulation to enhance propulsion systems and subsystems, starting systems, fuel systems, hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, etc. We also request papers that detail design tools that support the above technologies as well as innovative validation/testing methods aimed at reductions in development/qualification costs. Papers focusing on innovative configurations for V/STOL aircraft, gear and bearing technology, shafting advancements, analysis materials and processing, and new technology to reduce weight, cost, noise and maintenance to improve reliability for both engines and drive systems are requested. Variable speed/2-speed concepts are also encouraged. Vibration monitoring and control, health and life usage monitoring technologies for engine and drive train are of interest.

Session Chair: Gary Kellogg Aviation Engineering Directorate (256) 319-5202 gary.kellogg@us.army.mil Session Co-Chair: Sam Spring GE Aircraft Engines (781) 594-8545 samuel.spring@ae.ge.com

Structures & Materials

Papers are invited that address the development, design, analysis, testing, service experiences, or novel application of structures and materials applicable to manned and unmanned rotorcraft, powered lift and fixed-wing V/STOL aircraft. Topics of interest are durability and damage tolerance, fatigue and fracture mechanics, advanced metallic and composite materials and structures, probabilistic and reliability methods, repair concepts and methodology, diagnostic/prognosis of remaining useful service life, stress and finite element analysis, and structural design criteria. In general, related topics on affordability, weight reduction, and stress prediction accuracy improvements are desirable. Papers on practical applications of high strain, high durability, or “smart” materials to advanced structural concepts for improved performance or affordability are also solicited. Papers related to fatigue, crack growth analysis and testing, residual stress treatments and life enhancement, and component damage tolerance assessments are particularly encouraged. Papers on these topics will be part of a session to honor contributions made by George Schneider to Rotorcraft Damage Tolerance.

Session Chair: Dr. Greg Olsen Mississippi State University (662) 325-7298 golsen@ae.msstate.edu

Systems Engineering

The AHS Systems Engineering Technical Committee is inviting papers that will promote the advancement of the practice of system design, development, integration and management, across the multiple disciplines and specialty areas associated with the engineering of systems within the AHS technical community. Papers of interest can range from understanding and documenting of customer requirements and design, through manufacturing and field support. Specific areas for consideration may include: Requirements development and management System architecture, especially at the system-of-system level System modeling and simulation System Verification and Validation Systems reliability Program/project management for system-of-systems Risk management Systems engineering processes Systems engineering quality management Systems engineering education and training “Systems thinking” benefits

Session Chair: Theodora Saunders Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. (203) 386-6349 tsaunders@sikorsky.com

Test & Evaluation

Uninhabited VTOL Aircraft & Rotorcraft