HFH Ch2: Aerodynamics of Flight Flashcards
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.
Stall; Stall angle/Critical AOA
AOA is usually _____ at higher airspeeds and _____ at lower airspeeds.
Lower; higher
The _____ region produces the forces needed to turn the blades during autorotation.
Driving
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).
Outboard; higher
This is because inflow of air is going up through the rotor disk rather than down.
If the engine fails, the _____ unit automatically disengages the engine from the main rotor. Allowing the main rotor to rotate freely.
Freewheeling
The driven region of the rotor disk produces some lift, but that lift is offset by _____.
Drag
The overall result is a deceleration in the rotation of the blade.
_____ pitch must be increased in order to maintain altitude & airspeed while turning.
Collective
Collective pitch controls the AOI and along with other factors, determines the overall AOA in the rotor disk.
_____ + _____ = AOA
Resultant relative wind; chord line
AOA can change with no change in blade pitch angle or AOI.
What is the difference between centripetal & centrifugal force?
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
Total aerodynamic force (TAF) in the _____ region is inclined slightly forward of the axis of rotation.
Driving region
This forward incline produces a continual acceleration force during autorotation
How do pilots avoid retreating blade stall?
By not exceeding the never-exceed speed (VNE)
Contacting the ground with skids during sideward flight will likely result in a _____.
Dynamic rollover
Why do transverse flow effect vibrations happen close to the same airspeed as ETL?
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
During vertical autorotation, the rotor disk is divided into what 3 regions?
Driven, driving, & stall
During translating tendency, the helicopter wants drift slightly to the _____.
Right
As the relative wind speed of the advancing blade increases, the blade _____ (gains/loses) lift & begins to flap _____ (up/down).
Gains; upThis upflap creates a downward flow of air & has the same effect as increasing the induced flow velocity, & decreasing the AOA.
Describe Ground Effect
Aka In Ground Effect (IGE) Increased efficiency of the rotor disk caused by interference of the airflow when near the ground. Because of this interference, induced flow is reduced, increasing AOA and lift efficiency.
What changes the blade’s AOA differentially around the rotor disk & creates a differential lift?
Cyclic feathering
This controls the rotor disk attitude & is the means to control rearward tilt of the rotor (blowback).
What 4 conditions cause retreating blade stall?
- High airspeeds (exceeding VNE)
- High collective pitch angle
- Excessive forward cyclic
- Low Nr (rotor RPM) 3 highs, 1 low
Transverse flow effect _____ (increases/decreases) the AOA at the front disk area causing the blade to _____ (flap up/flap down).
Increase; flap up
A reduction in AOA at the aft causes the blade to flap down. Increasing the chance for blowback.
As induced flow increases, resultant relative wind becomes less _____ (horizontal/vertical). Causing AOA to _____ (increase/decrease).
Horizontal; decrease
Because AOA is determined by measuring the difference between the chord line & the resultant relative wind, as the resultant relative wind becomes less horizontal, AOA decreases.
While transitioning to forward flight around 16 to 24 knots, the helicopter goes through _____.
Effective translational lift (ETL)
The propeller region, or _____ region, consists of 30% of the blade radius.
Driven
How does Newton’s Third Law apply to flight?
The air deflected downward also produces an upward (lifting) reaction.
_____ occurs when the tail rotor becomes more aerodynamically efficient during the transition from hover to forward flight.
Translational thrust
The autorotative region, or _____ region, lies 25-75% of the blade radius.
Driving
The _____ changes the AOI of the rotor blades which changes their AOA.
Collective
Changing the AOA increases drag on blades, power delivered by engine must increase to maintain rotor speed
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 _____.
Transverse flow effect
Define camber
Curvature of the airfoil
What are the 3 types of rotor systems?
Rigid, semi-rigid, fully articulated
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?
“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)
1 causes 2, 2 causes 3
The tendency for the nose to rise or pitch up is caused by the combined effects of what?
Dissymmetry of lift & transverse flow effect (This is pitch up is also called blowback)
How do you counteract transverse flow effect?
Cyclic input to the left
Rotational relative wind combines with induced flow to form what?
Resultant relative wind
What are the 2 ways to recover from retreating blade stall?
- Lower collective - This decreases AOA & airspeed, increasing NR2. Reduce severity of flight maneuver & adjust flight controls to normal flight
What are signs of retreating blade stall?
- Vibrations
- Vertical bounce
- Flight control feedback
- Pitch up & roll to retreating side“VVFP”
Main rotor blades _____ & _____ automatically to equalize lift across the rotor disk.
Flap & feather
The combination of what 2 things acting on the retreating blade limit the maximum forward airspeed of a helicopter?
Blade flapping & slow relative wind
What’s the difference between a rigid, semi-rigid, and fully articulated rotor system?
Rigid: feather
Semi-rigid: flap & feather - via teetering hinge
Fully articulated: each blade individually flaps, feathers, & lead & lags (“blade hunting”)
Each blade has a _____ AOA due to induced flow.
Decreased (Induced flow = downwash)
What describes the unequal lift between the advancing & retreating halves of the rotor disk caused by the different wind flow velocity across each half?
Dissymmetry of lift (The advancing side produces more lift than the retreating)
In the absence of induced flow, AOA & AOI are _____ (the same, AOA is greater, AOI is greater).
The same
AOA = resultant relative wind + chord line
AOI = rotor hub + chord line
The speed of a rotating mass varies proportionately with the _____ of the radius.
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.
Improved rotor efficiency resulting from directional flight is what?
Translational lift
The tail rotor also becomes more aerodynamically efficient during the transition from hover to forward flight (translational thrust).
As the relative wind speed of the retreating blade decreases, the blade _____ (gains/loses) lift and begins to flap _____ (up/down)
Loses; down
This downflap creates an upward flow of air & has the same effect as decreasing the induced flow velocity, increasing the AOA
How do you calculate the velocity of the air meeting the advancing or retreating blade?
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.
Which type of drag remains relatively constant throughout the range of speeds?
Profile
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?
Highest: 3 o’clock; advancing blade
Lowest: 9 o’clock; retreating blade
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.
Equals
Symptoms of vortex ring state
- Low frequency airframe vibrations- Uncommanded pitch, roll, & yaw- Increase in collective lever makes condition worse (settle further)
The amount of torque is _____ (directly/indirectly) related to the amount of engine power being used to turn the main rotor disk.
Directly