Basic Helicopter Aerodynamics (eBook)

John Seddon, Formerly of the Ministry of Defence, UK Simon Newman, University of Southampton, UK

About the Authors.

Preface to First Edition.

Preface to Second Edition.

Preface to Third Edition.

Notation.

Units.

Abbreviations.

1 Introduction.

1.1 Looking Back.

References.

2 Rotor in Vertical Flight: Momentum Theory and WakeAnalysis.

2.1 Momentum Theory for Hover.

2.2 Non-dimensionalization.

2.3 Figure of Merit.

2.4 Axial Flight.

2.5 Momentum Theory for Vertical Climb.

2.6 Modelling the Streamtube.

2.7 Descent.

2.8 Wind Tunnel Test Results.

2.9 Complete Induced-Velocity Curve.

2.10 Summary Remarks on Momentum Theory.

2.11 Complexity of Real Wake.

2.12 Wake Analysis Methods.

2.13 Ground Effect.

2.14 Brownout.

References.

3 Rotor in Vertical Flight: Blade Element Theory.

3.1 Basic Method.

3.2 Thrust Approximations.

3.3 Non-uniform Inflow.

3.4 Ideal Twist.

3.5 Blade Mean Lift Coefficient.

3.6 Power Approximations.

3.7 Tip Loss.

3.8 Examples of Hover Characteristics.

References.

4 Rotor Mechanisms for Forward Flight.

4.1 The Edgewise Rotor.

4.2 Flapping Motion.

4.3 Rotor Control.

4.4 Equivalence of Flapping and Feathering.

References.

5 Rotor Aerodynamics in Forward Flight.

5.1 Momentum Theory.

5.2 Descending Forward Flight.

5.3 Wake Analysis.

5.4 Blade Element Theory.

References.

6 Aerodynamic Design.

6.1 Introductory.

6.2 Blade Section Design.

6.3 Blade Tip Shapes.

6.4 Tail Rotors.

6.5 Parasite Drag.

6.6 Rear Fuselage Upsweep.

6.7 Higher Harmonic Control.

6.8 Aerodynamic Design Process.

References.

7 Performance.

7.1 Introduction.

7.2 Hover and Vertical Flight.

7.3 Forward Level Flight.

7.4 Climb in Forward Flight.

7.5 Maximum Level Spread.

7.6 Rotor Limits Envelope.

7.7 Accurate Performance Prediction.

7.8 A World Speed Record.

7.9 Speculation on the Really Low-Drag Helicopter.

7.10 An Exercise in High-Altitude Operation.

7.11 Shipborne Operation.

References.

8 Trim, Stability and Control.

8.1 Trim.

8.2 Treatment of Stability and Control.

8.3 Static Stability.

8.4 Dynamic Stability.

8.5 Hingeless Rotor.

8.6 Control.

8.7 Autostabilization.

References.

9 A Personal Look at the Future.

Appendix: Performance and Mission Calculation.

Index.

"In summary, this greatly improved edition is going to be
of interest to all those young people wishing to embark on the
understanding of the helicopter, without the fuss of too much
detail and too much theory."
(Aeronautical Journal, 1 August
2013)