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Aerodynamic of Rotor - Helicopter Flight

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HELICOPTER THEORY Aerodynamics of a Helicopter Rotor in Forward Flight Introduction Early History Modern History Flapping Hinges Maximum Speed Cyclic Control Momentum Theory Blade Element Theory Rotor Wake Summary References Home Based on a paper originally written by Doug Jackson Spring 2000 Introduction: Even though the design of the modern helicopter was not perfected until the late 1930s, it is arguably one of the earliest ideas for achieving flight, predating the concept of the glider by perhaps as much as two thousand years. Inspired by the flight of birds, even ancient humans dreampt of soaring at high speeds, stopping on a dime, and hovering in place, much like a …show more content…

The FA-61 helicopter, designed by Heinrich Focke, first flew in June 1936, and was later used in publicity stunts by the Nazis. The FL-282 helicopter, designed by Anton Flettner, became operational with the German Navy, and over 1000 of them were produced. This helicopter utilized twin intermeshing rotors, had a forward speed of 90 mph (145 km/h), and could operate at an altitude of 13,000 ft (3,965 m) with a payload of 800 lb (360 kg). The first American helicopter was the VS-300, designed by Igor Sikorsky of the Vought-Sikorsky Company. The VS-300 was the first helicopter to use a tail rotor to counteract the torque produced by the main rotor, and it was this innovation that solved the last major hurdle in making helicopters practical flying vehicles. This design is now the most common in today's helicopters. Sikorsky's VS-300, 1939 [from McCormick, 1995] The VS-300 made its first tethered flight in September 1939 and its first free flight on 13 May 1940 Flapping Hinges Introduction Early History Modern History Flapping Hinges Maximum Speed Cyclic Control Momentum Theory Blade Element Theory Rotor Wake Summary References Home Non-Articulated Rotors: To begin a discussion of a helicopter rotor in forward flight, it is first

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