A digital flight control system for helicopters can now be certified in the US

US aviation regulators are proposing new safety rules for a specific helicopter model that replaces mechanical flight controls with a digital fly-by-wire system. This means that a new type of helicopter control system, previously not covered by existing rules, can now be evaluated for safety.

For decades, helicopter flight controls have been mechanical, relying on cables and linkages. This proposal means that a fully digital system can now be certified, opening the door for new designs that could be lighter, more precise, and potentially safer. It sets a precedent for how the US evaluates and approves advanced control technologies in aircraft.