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Helicopter Flying Handbook > Ch. 2 Aerodynamics of Flight > Flashcards

Ch. 2 Aerodynamics of Flight Flashcards

1
Q

The inner 25% of the rotor blade is referred to as the _____ region.

This region operates above its maximum AOA, also referred to as _____, causing drag & slowing rotation of the blade.

A

Stall

Stall angle

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2
Q

AOA is usually _____ at higher airspeeds and _____ at lower airspeeds.

A

Lower; higher

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3
Q

The _____ region produces the forces needed to turn the blades during autorotation.

A

Driving

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4
Q

During autorotation in forward flight, all 3 regions of the blade move _____ (outboard/inboard) along the blade span on the retreating blade where AOA is _____ (higher/lower).

A

Outboard; higher

This is because inflow of air is going up through the rotor disk rather than down.

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5
Q

If the engine fails, the _____ unit automatically disengages the engine from the main rotor. Allowing the main rotor to rotate freely.

A

Freewheeling

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6
Q

The driven region of the rotor disk produces some lift, but that lift is offset by _____.

A

Drag

The overall result is a deceleration in the rotation of the blade.

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7
Q

_____ pitch must be increased in order to maintain altitude & airspeed while turning.

A

Collective

Collective pitch controls the AOI and along with other factors, determines the overall AOA in the rotor disk.

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8
Q

_____ + _____ = AOA

A

Resultant relative wind; chord line

AOA can change with no change in blade pitch angle or AOI.

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9
Q

What is the difference between centripetal & centrifugal force?

A

Centripetal force “pulls” or acts toward the center of rotation.
- a real force

Centrifugal force “pulls” or acts away from the center.
- considered a pseudo force

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10
Q

Total aerodynamic force (TAF) in the _____ region is inclined slightly forward of the axis of rotation.

A

Driving region

This forward incline produces a continual acceleration force during autorotation.

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11
Q

How do pilots avoid retreating blade stall?

A

By not exceeding the never-exceed speed (VNE)

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12
Q

Contacting the ground with skids during sideward flight will likely result in a _____.

A

Dynamic rollover

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13
Q

Why do transverse flow effect vibrations happen close to the same airspeed as ETL?

A

This is where the greatest lift differential exists between the front & rear portions of the rotor.

Just below ETL on takeoff & after passing through ETL on landing
- between airspeeds 12-15 knots

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14
Q

During vertical autorotation, the rotor disk is divided into what 3 regions?

A

Driven, driving, & stall

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15
Q

During translating tendency, the helicopter wants roll slightly to the _____ as it accelerates through approximately _____ knots.

A

Right; 20 knots

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16
Q

As the relative wind speed of the advancing blade increases, the blade _____ (gains/loses) lift & begins to flap _____ (up/down).

A

Gains; up

This upflap creates a downward flow of air & has the same effect as increasing the induced flow velocity, & decreasing the AOA.

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17
Q

Describe Ground Effect

A

Aka In Ground Effect (IGE)

Increased efficiency of the rotor disk caused by interference of the airflow when near the ground.

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18
Q

What changes the blade’s AOA differentially around the rotor disk & creates a differential lift?

A

Cyclic feathering

This controls the rotor disk attitude & is the means to control rearward tilt of the rotor (blowback).

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19
Q

What 4 conditions cause retreating blade stall?

A
  • High airspeeds (exceeding VNE)
  • High collective pitch angle
  • Excessive forward cyclic
  • Low Nr (rotor RPM)

3 highs, 1 low

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20
Q

Transverse flow effect _____ (increases/decreases) the AOA at the front disk area causing the blade to _____ (flap up/flap down).

A

Increase; flap up

A reduction in AOA at the aft causes the blade to flap down. Increasing the chance for blowback.

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21
Q

As induced flow increases, resultant relative wind becomes less _____ (horizontal/vertical). Causing AOA to _____ (increase/decrease).

A

Horizontal; decrease

Because AOA is determined by measuring the difference between the chord line & the resultant relative wind, as the resultant relative wind becomes more horizontal, AOA decreases.

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22
Q

While transitioning to forward flight around 16 to 24 knots, the helicopter goes through _____.

A

Effective translational lift (ETL)

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23
Q

The propeller region, or _____ region, consists of 30% of the blade radius.

A

Driven

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24
Q

How does Newton’s Third Law apply to flight?

A

The air deflected downward also produces an upward (lifting) reaction.

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25
Q

_____ occurs when the tail rotor becomes more aerodynamically efficient during the transition from hover to forward flight.

A

Translational thrust

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26
Q

The autorotative region, or _____ region, lies 25-75% of the blade radius.

A

Driving

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27
Q

The _____ changes the AOI of the rotor blades which changes their AOA.

A

Collective

Changing the AOA changes the drag on the blades & the power delivered by the engine must change to keep the rotor speed constant.

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28
Q

As the helicopter accelerates in forward flight, induced flow drops to near 0 at the forward disk area & increases in the aft. These differences between the fore & aft portions of the rotor disk are called _____.

A

Transverse flow effect

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29
Q

Define camber

A

Curvature of the airfoil

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30
Q

What are the 3 types of rotor systems?

A

Rigid, semi-rigid, fully articulated

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31
Q

During ETL, the rotor disk outruns the recirculation of old vortices & begins to work in relatively undisturbed air. What 3 ways does this affect airflow?

A

1 causes #2, #2 causes #3

“HRI”

  1. Airflow becomes more horizontal
  2. Reduction in induced flow & drag
  3. Increase in AOA & lift

The additional lift available at this speed is referred to as ETL.

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32
Q

The tendency for the nose to rise or pitch up is caused by the combined effects of what?

A

Dissymmetry of lift & transverse flow effect

This is pitch up is also called blowback.

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33
Q

How do you counteract transverse flow effect?

A

Cyclic input to the left

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34
Q

Rotational relative wind combines with induced flow to form what?

A

Resultant relative wind

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35
Q

What are the 2 ways to recover from retreating blade stall?

A
  1. Lower collective
    - This decreases AOA & airspeed, increasing NR
  2. Reduce severity of flight maneuver & adjust flight controls to normal flight
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36
Q

What are signs of retreating blade stall?

A
  • Vibrations
  • Vertical bounce
  • Flight control feedback
  • Pitch up & roll to retreating side

“VVFP”

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37
Q

Main rotor blades _____ & _____ automatically to equalize lift across the rotor disk.

A

Flap & feather

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38
Q

The combination of what 2 things acting on the retreating blade, limit the maximum forward airspeed of a helicopter?

A

Blade flapping & slow relative wind

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39
Q

What’s the difference between a rigid, semi-rigid, and fully articulated rotor system?

A
  1. Rigid: feather
  2. Semi-rigid: flap & feather
    - via teetering hinge
  3. Fully articulated: each blade individually flaps, feathers, & lead & lags (“blade hunting”)
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40
Q

Each blade has a _____ AOA due to induced flow.

A

Decreased

Induced flow = downwash

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41
Q

What describes the unequal lift between the advancing & retreating halves of the rotor disk caused by the different wind flow velocity across each half?

A

Dissymmetry of lift

The advancing side produces more lift than the retreating.

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42
Q

In the absence of induced flow, AOA & AOI are _____ (the same, AOA is greater, AOI is greater).

A

The same

AOA = resultant relative wind + chord line
AOI = rotor hub + chord line
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43
Q

The speed of a rotating mass varies proportionately with the _____ of the radius.

A

Square

Changes in angular velocity, known as angular acceleration & deceleration, take place as the mass of a rotating body is moved closer to or farther away from the axis of rotation.

Think figure skater performing a spin on ice skates.

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44
Q

Improved rotor efficiency resulting from directional flight is what?

A

Translational lift

The tail rotor also becomes more aerodynamically efficient during the transition from hover to forward flight (translational thrust).

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45
Q

As the relative wind speed of the retreating blade decreases, the blade _____ (gains/loses) lift and begins to flap _____ (up/down)

A

Loses; down

This downflap creates an upward flow of air & has the same effect as decreasing the induced flow velocity, increasing the AOA.

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46
Q

How do you calculate the velocity of the air meeting the advancing or retreating blade?

A

Rotational velocity of the blade plus or minus wind velocity resulting from forward air speed.

Ex. The blade tip speed of a helicopter is 400 knots. If the helicopter is moving forward at 100 knots, the relative windspeed on the advancing side is 500 knots. On the retreating side is only 300 knots.

This difference in speed causes a dissymmetry of lift.

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47
Q

Which type of drag remains relatively constant throughout the range of speeds?

A

Profile

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48
Q

The airflow meeting each blade varies continuously as the blade rotates.

The highest velocity of airflow occurs over the _____ (3/9 o’clock position) or the _____ (advancing/retreating) blade. Making the lowest occur where?

A

Highest: 3 o’clock; advancing blade
Lowest: 9 o’clock; retreating blade

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49
Q

In forward flight, air flows opposite the aircraft’s flightpath. The velocity of this air flow _____ (is greater than / less than / equals) the helicopter’s forward speed.

A

Equals

50
Q

Symptoms of vortex ring state

A
  • Low frequency airframe vibrations
  • Uncommanded pitch, roll, & yaw
  • Increase in collective lever makes condition worse (settle further)
51
Q

The amount of torque is _____ (directly/indirectly) related to the amount of engine power being used to turn the main rotor disk.

A

Directly

As power changes, torque changes.

52
Q

What is gyroscopic precession?

A

The resultant action or deflection of a spinning object when a force is applied to that object.

This action occurs 90 degrees in the direction of rotation from the point where the force is applied.

53
Q

_____ is the state of flight where the main rotor disk is being turned by the action of air moving up through the rotor disk rather than engine power?

A

Autorotation

54
Q

Define chord line

A

Straight line intersecting leading & trailing edges of the airfoil.

55
Q

Because the helicopter’s body has mass & is suspended from a single point (rotor mast head), it tends to act much like a _____.

A

Pendulum

The fuselage is free to oscillate either longitudinally or laterally. This pendular action can be exaggerated by overcontrolling flight controls.

56
Q

What does the law of conservation of angular momentum state?

A

The value of angular momentum of a rotating body doesn’t change unless an external force is applied.

It’s also referred as the Coriolis Effect.

57
Q

Above what degree of bank does increase in gross weight soar?

A

30 degrees

30 degrees = 16% increase in gross weight

58
Q

What is the most limiting factor for highspeed helicopter flight?

A

Retreating blade stall

59
Q

As lift on the blades is increased, what two major forces are acting at the same time?

A

Centrifugal force (outward) & lift (upward)

These forces assume a conical path instead of remaining perpendicular to the mast. This is also known as coning.

60
Q

Blade twist provides _____ angles at the root where velocity is lower & _____ pitch angles near the tips where velocity is higher.

A

Higher; lower

61
Q

What features may be built into a helicopter to counteract translating tendency?

A
  1. Main transmission is mounted at a slight angle to the left
  2. Flight controls rigged
  3. Transmission is mounted so rotor shaft is vertical with respect to fuselage, helicopter hangs “left skid low”
  4. Fuselage tilted
  5. Tail rotor mounted on vertical fin/stabilizer
62
Q

Flightpath velocity refers to the _____ & _____ of the airfoil passing through the air.

A

Speed; direction

Flightpath velocity is equal to rotational velocity for helicopter rotor blades.

63
Q

In OGE, induced flow velocities are _____ (increased/decreased), resulting in _____ (increased/decreased) AOA.

A

Increased; decreased

A higher pitch angle is required to maintain the same AOA in a OGE hover. The increased AOA creates more drag & requires more power to hover OGE than IGE.

64
Q

What describes the drifting of the right of the helicopter due to main rotor thrust & tail rotor compensation of the main rotor thrust?

A

Translating tendency

Also referred as torque effect

65
Q

What is torque?

A

A measure of the force that can cause an object to rotate about an axis.

66
Q

Which control input is used to eliminate drift in the horizontal plane?

A

Cyclic

It rotates the rotor disk plane relative to the horizon.

67
Q

What is the solidity ratio?

A

The ratio of the total rotor blade area (combined area of all main rotor blades) to the total rotor disk area.

68
Q

What is the primary means of compensating for dissymmetry of lift?

A

Flapping

Higher airspeeds induce blade flapping.

69
Q

What is parasite drag?

A

Drag caused by non-lifting components of the helicopter (cabin, rotor mast, tail, landing gear, etc.).

70
Q

Most of the changes in AOA come from change in _____ & _____.

A

Airspeed & rate of climb/descent; not the pilot’s direct flight control inputs.

71
Q

What changes the blade’s AOA differentially around the rotor disk & creates a differential lift?

A

Cyclic feathering

This controls the rotor disk attitude & is the means to control rearward tilt of the rotor (blowback).

72
Q

Any increase beyond the _____ angle of AOA produces a stall & rapid decrease in lift.

A

Critical

As the AOA is increased further, it becomes more difficult for air to flow smoothly across the top of the airfoil. At this point, the airflow begins to separate from the airfoil & enters a burbling or turbulent pattern.

73
Q

The _____ is the angle between the chord line of a main or tail rotor blade & the rotor hub.

A

AOI

This is also known as blade pitch angle & controlled by collective & cyclic inputs.

74
Q

How does a vortex ring state happen?

A

Upwards flow of air into the rotor disk that turns into itself developing vortices near the blade root.

  • Secondary set of vortices that are beginning to engulf the rotor disk
  • Eventually settling in own downwash
75
Q

What are Newton’s Laws of Motion?

A
  1. Law of inertia
    - with no net force acting upon it, an object at rest tends to stay at rest, & an object in motion tends to stay in motion.
  2. The acceleration of an object is proportional to the force acting on it & inversely proportional to its mass. F = m x a
    - the greater the mass of an object, the more force required to accelerate (move) it.
  3. For every action, there’s an equal & opposite reaction
76
Q

Increasing induced flow velocities, _____ (increases/decreases) AOA.

A

Decreases

The angle between the chord line & resultant relative wind gets smaller because of the larger downwash (induced flow).

77
Q

What type of surfaces reduce maximum ground effect?

A

Tall grass, trees, bushes, rough terrain, & water

78
Q

Define chord

A

The length of the chord line from the leading edge to the trailing edge.

79
Q

As a helicopter gains airspeed, the addition of forward velocity results in _____ induced flow velocity.

A

Decreased

80
Q

What serves as the reference plane for development of lift, drag, & total aerodynamic force (TAF) vectors on the airfoil?

A

Resultant relative wind

81
Q

Rotational relative wind modified by induced flow is _____.

A

Resultant relative wind

82
Q

What is the airflow relative to an airfoil & created by movement of an airfoil through the air?

A

Rotational relative wind aka tip-path plane

83
Q

What part of relative wind is caused by the blades turning plus movement of the helicopter through the air?

A

Horizontal

84
Q

What part of relative wind is caused by the air being forced down through the rotor blades plus any movement caused by the helicopter climbing or descending?

A

Vertical

85
Q

Blade twist serves what 2 main functions?

A
  1. Alleviates blade stress
  2. Distributes lifting force more evenly along the blade.

Blade twist is important because of the differing rotational relative wind values along the blade (faster at tip, slower at hub).

86
Q

What are advantages of a nonsymmetrical airfoil?

A
  • More lift produced at given AOA
  • Improved lift-to-drag ratio
  • Better stall characteristics
87
Q

What are disadvantages of a nonsymmetrical airfoil?

A
  • Center of pressure travels up to 20% of chord line (creates undesirable torque on structure)
  • Greater production costs
88
Q

What is center of pressure (CP)?

A

CP is where all aerodynamic forces act on the chord line.

89
Q

What is center of gravity (CG)?

A
  • CG is the point which all mass is considered to be concentrated.
  • Force of gravity acts on the total mass of an object vertically downward.
90
Q

T/F Nonsymmetrical airfoils can produce useful lift at 0 AOA.

A

True

91
Q

What describes the reduction in fluid pressure that results when a fluid flows through a constricted section of pipe?

A

Venturi Effect

92
Q

Because the mean camber line & chord line are the same on a symmetrical airfoil, it produces how much lift at 0 AOA?

A

0

93
Q

The downward flow of air through the rotor disk is known as _____.

A

Induced flow

Induced = caused from producing lift

94
Q

Define mean camber line

A

A line drawn halfway between the upper & lower surfaces of the airfoil.

95
Q

Define airfoil

A

Any surface that produces more lift than drag.

96
Q

What is the low point on the total drag curve that shows the airspeed at which drag is minimized?

A

L/Dmax

This is the point where the lift (L) - to drag (D) ratio is greatest.

97
Q

Which type of drag is most affected by speed increase?

A

Parasite

This drag varies with the square of the velocity; doubling airspeeds increases parasite drag four times.

98
Q

During lift, what causes the vortices that form behind the blade?

A

The high-pressure airflow area beneath the blade joins the low-pressure airflow area above the blade at the trailing edge & at the tips.

99
Q

Define drag

A

Rearward, retarding force caused by disruption of airflow by the wing, rotor, fuselage, & other protruding objects.

100
Q

What is induced drag?

A

Drag that’s generated by the airflow circulation around the rotor blades as lift is created.

“Lift induced drag.”

101
Q

What causes skin friction?

A

Surface roughness

102
Q

Form drag results from what?

A

Turbulent wake caused by the separation of airflow from the surface of a structure.

103
Q

What two elements make up profile drag?

A

Form drag & skin friction

104
Q

What causes profile drag?

A

Frictional resistance of the blades passing through the air.

105
Q

What does the solidity ratio measure?

A

The potential for rotor disk to provide thrust & lift.

106
Q

What aerodynamic force is generated by the rotation of the main rotor disk and can be forward, rearward, sideward, or vertical?

A

Thrust

107
Q

In addition to increased bank angle, what can also increase load factors?

A

Rough or turbulent air

108
Q

Define load factor

A

Actual load on rotor blades at any time divided by gross weight.

Aka “G” forces or gravitational loads

109
Q

Define gross weight

A

Helicopter weight & it’s contents

110
Q

What are Newton’s Laws of Motion?

A
  1. Law of inertia
    - with no net force acting upon it, an object at rest tends to stay at rest, & an object in motion tends to stay in motion.
  2. The acceleration of an object is proportional to the force acting on it & inversely proportional to its mass. F = m x a
    - the greater the mass of an object, the more force required to accelerate (move) it.
  3. For every action, there’s an equal & opposite reaction
111
Q

What does Bernoulli’s principle describe?

A

The relationship between internal fluid pressure & fluid velocity.

Increase in pressure = decrease in velocity & vice versa (to maintain constant flow rate)

112
Q

_____ opposes drag & _____ opposes lift.

A

Thrust; weight

113
Q

Gravity acting on the mass of an object creates a force called what?

A

Weight

114
Q

Define thrust

A

The force produced by the power plant / rotor & acts parallel to the longitudinal axis.

115
Q

Lift is usually measured _____ to the air flowing around the airfoil.

A

Perpendicular

116
Q

The force created by air moving over an object or moving through the air is _____.

A

Aerodynamic force

117
Q

When dynamic pressure increases, static pressure _____.

A

Decreases

Total pressure = dynamic pressure + static pressure

118
Q

Every object in the atmosphere is surrounded by a gas that exerts a static force of _____ lbs per square foot at sea level.

A

2,116

119
Q

Rotor efficiency is increased by ground effect to a height of _____ rotor diameter.

A

1

This is measured from the ground to the rotor disk.

120
Q

During IGE, induced flow velocities are _____ (increased/decreased), _____ (increasing/decreasing) the AOA.

A

Decreased; increasing

Ultimately reducing the blade pitch angle & induced drag; requiring less power from the engine.

121
Q

What is the lift formula?

A

L = 1/2 (p) (V)^2(S)(CL)

p = air density
V = rotor RPM (doubling speed = quadrupling lift)
S = surface area
CL = Coefficient of lift

Helicopter Flying Handbook (2 decks)

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