Aerodynamics

FF-1/01
 Aero Foundations
Translating Tendency
Ground Effect
Translational Lift
Transverse Flow
Dissymmetry of Lift
Drag
Total Aerodynamic Force
Aero in Autorotations
Aerodynamic Difficulties
Engine Failure in a Left Turn
Negative/Low G
Vortex Ring State
Loss of Tailrotor
Effectiveness
Marginal Power Ops
Retreating Blade Stall
 Huey Hovering
Nose High
5 Mast tilt
CG Forward / Aft

Left Skid Low

Translating Tendency
Antitorque (Tail Rotor)
Pushes Tail to the Right (Nose - Left)
Thrust also pushes fuselage right, below the CG
Compensated for by left cyclic
Thus, left skid lower than right skid
Translating Tendency
 Ground Effect
Practically speaking, experienced up to one rotor disk above the ground.
In ground effect hover power up to 30% less than out of ground effect. Why?
Primary: Reduction in downward velocity of induced flow caused by proximity of the ground
Secondary: Disruption in size and number of wing tip vortices (downward and outward flow
of air discourages vortex formation)
The Transition to Directional
Flight
Because hovering is fun, but it isnt
getting us anywhere.
 Translational Lift
Additional lift because of horizontal movement
with respect to the air
Airflow transitions from vertical at a hover to more
horizontal in forward flight
Modifies induced flow changing the resultant RW and
increasing the AOA
 Translational Lift

Airflow at a Hover

Airflow in Forward Flight

 Effective Translational Lift
(ETL)
Definition
The point at which the aircraft outruns its own
downwash
Results:
Lift increases with no collective change
Roll - right; Nose - up
Pitch up and Roll Caused by:
Transverse Flow
Dissymmetry of Lift
 Transverse Flow Effect
Definition
A condition of increased drag and decreased lift
in the aft portion of the rotor disk caused by the
air having a greater induced velocity and
reduced angle of attack in the aft portion of the
disk.
 Transverse Flow Effect

Rotor Disk -Front

Rotor Disk -Rear

 Transverse Flow Effect
More lift in front half Phase lag effect
of rotor disk felt 90 later
Less lift in rear half
Result:
-Right Roll
 Dissymmetry of Lift
The difference in lift between the advancing
half and the retreating half of the rotor disk
Dissymmetry of Lift

L = 1/2 V2 S CL
 Dissymmetry of Lift
Result Compensate by
Nose pitches up Flapping
Referred to as Blowback Cyclic Feathering
 Types of Drag
Induced
Profile
Skin Friction
Form
Parasite
Skin Friction
Form
Interference
Wave
Drag
PPC
 Total Aerodynamic Force
Lift is perpendicular to Resultant Relative Wind
Drag is parallel to Resultant Relative Wind
Lift is modified by Total Drag
Autorotations
Blade Regions
Descent
Rates/Rotor RPM
-10 Pg 9-11
HV Diagram
-10 Pg 9-13
FM 1-203 Pg 6-50
 Flight Characteristics

Engine Failure during left turn

-10 Pg 9-2
Negative Gs / Low Gs
-10 Pg 8-10
Right Roll
Mast Bumping Video
AERODYNAMIC PROBLEMS

The main reason why pilots need to

know aero