Helicopter Theory

Monumental engineering text covers vertical flight, forward flight, performance, mathematics of rotating systems, rotary wing dynamics and aerodynamics, aeroelasticity, stability and control, stall, noise, and more. 189 illustrations. 1980 edition.

Written by an internationally recognized teacher and researcher, this book provides a thorough, modern treatment of the aerodynamic principles of helicopters and other rotating-wing vertical lift aircraft such as tilt rotors and autogiros. The text begins with a unique technical history of helicopter flight, and then covers basic methods of rotor aerodynamic analysis, and related issues associated with the performance of the helicopter and its aerodynamic design. It goes on to cover more advanced topics in helicopter aerodynamics, including airfoil flows, unsteady aerodynamics, dynamic stall, and rotor wakes, and rotor-airframe aerodynamic interactions, with final chapters on autogiros and advanced methods of helicopter aerodynamic analysis. Extensively illustrated throughout, each chapter includes a set of homework problems. Advanced undergraduate and graduate students, practising engineers, and researchers will welcome this thoroughly revised and updated text on rotating-wing aerodynamics.

Helicopter Dynamics Introduced in an Organized and Systematic MannerA result of lecture notes for a graduate-level introductory course as well as the culmination of a series of lectures given to designers, engineers, operators, users, and researchers, Fundamentals of Helicopter Dynamics provides a fundamental understanding and a thorough overview o

The unique design problems which helicopters produce are many and complex. Through practical examples and illustrated case studies, supported by all the relevant theory, this primer text provides an accessible introduction which guides the reader through the theory, design, construction and operation of helicopters. Fundamental performance and control equations are developed, from which the book explores the rotor aerodynamic and dynamic characteristics of helicopters. Example calculations and performance predictions, reflecting current practice, show how to assess the feasibility of a design. * Tackles the theory, design, construction and operation of helicopters* Illustrated with many practical examples and case studies* Provides the fundamental equations describing performance and dynamic behaviour

Blade Element Rotor Theory This book presents an extension of the conventional blade element rotor theory to describe the dynamic properties of helicopter rotors. The presented theory focuses on the accurate mathematical determination of the forces and moments by which a rotor affects its rotorcraft at specified flight conditions and control positions. Analyzing the impact of a blade's non-uniform properties, the book covers blade twisting, the non-rectangular planform shape of a blade, and inhomogeneous airfoil along the blade. It discusses inhomogeneous induced airflow around a rotor disc in terms of the blade element rotor theory. This book also considers the impact of flapping hinge offset on the rotor's dynamic properties. Features • Focuses on a comprehensive description and accurate determination of the rotor's aerodynamic properties • Presents precise helicopter rotor properties with inhomogeneous aerodynamic properties of rotor blades • Considers inhomogeneous distribution of induced flow • Discusses a mathematical model of a main helicopter rotor for a helicopter flight simulator This book is intended for graduate students and researchers studying rotor dynamics and helicopter flight dynamics

The behavior of helicopters is so complex that understanding the physical mechanisms at work in trim, stability, and response, and thus the prediction of flying qualities, requires a framework of analytical and numerical modeling and simulation. Good flying qualities are vital for ensuring that mission performance is achievable with safety, and in the first edition of Helicopter Flight Dynamics, a comprehensive treatment of design criteria was presented. In this second edition, the author adds a new chapter on degraded flying qualities, drawing examples from flight in poor visibility, failure of control functions, and encounters with severe atmospheric disturbances. Fully embracing the consequences of degraded flying qualities during the design phase will contribute positively to safety.

Mises' classic avoids the formidable mathematical structure of fluid dynamics, while conveying — by often unorthodox methods — a full understanding of the physical phenomena and mathematical concepts of aeronautical engineering.

A rotorcraft is a class of aircraft that uses large-diameter rotating wings to accomplish efficient vertical take-off and landing. The class encompasses helicopters of numerous configurations (single main rotor and tail rotor, tandem rotors, coaxial rotors), tilting proprotor aircraft, compound helicopters, and many other innovative configuration concepts. Aeromechanics covers much of what the rotorcraft engineer needs: performance, loads, vibration, stability, flight dynamics, and noise. These topics include many of the key performance attributes and the often-encountered problems in rotorcraft designs. This comprehensive book presents, in depth, what engineers need to know about modelling rotorcraft aeromechanics. The focus is on analysis, and calculated results are presented to illustrate analysis characteristics and rotor behaviour. The first third of the book is an introduction to rotorcraft aerodynamics, blade motion, and performance. The remainder of the book covers advanced topics in rotary wing aerodynamics and dynamics.