Developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ), the T625 Gökbey Multi-Purpose Helicopter successfully completed low-altitude cold weather tests in challenging winter conditions.
These cold weather tests, one of the most crucial stages of civil and military certification processes, were conducted in the Kiruna region of Sweden.
The T625 Gökbey Multi-Purpose Helicopter, which made its first flight on September 6, 2018, has passed another significant milestone in its development process. After delivering the first three serial-production Gökbey helicopters, the helicopter was sent to Sweden to undergo necessary tests for the civil and military certification process. The cold weather tests, conducted in the Kiruna region, lasted for a month and demonstrated Gökbey’s durability in extreme cold conditions.
The test series included assessments of the performance of the climate control systems at the aircraft level. Additionally, engine, rotor blade, and hydraulic system tests were carried out. With these tests, Gökbey proved that it can fly even under the harshest cold weather conditions found in the polar regions.
During the test process, demanding manoeuvres were conducted to determine Gökbey’s controllability and performance, with flight limits, takeoff, and landing conditions being evaluated. The test included applying approach angles and maximum speeds adapted to cold weather conditions. Furthermore, the aircraft’s ability to fly safely under emergencies was successfully demonstrated. Controllability tests were carried out at a speed of 176 knots.
More than 600 individual test points, 60 sorties, and a total of 60 flight hours were successfully completed under temperatures as low as -30°C.
