Theory of Flight Flashcards
Provide an example of inertia
(1) Requires more torque to accelerate to 100% RPM than to maintain 100% RPM.
(2) Straight and level flight.
Provide an example of acceleration
(1) Rate of acceleration to 100% RPM from Engine Idle dependent upon amount of force applied through introduction of fuel and oxygen.
(2) Power required to accelerate heavy A/C versus light A/C.
Provide an example of action/reaction
Torque effect. Main rotor turns counterclockwise forcing nose of helicopter to turn clockwise. T/R thrust is used to compensate for this action.
Main rotors left, nose yaws right
Newton’s First Law
First law–inertia. Definition. A body at rest will remain at rest, and a body in motion will remain in motion at the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by some external force.
Newton’s Second Law
Second law–acceleration. A change in velocity with respect to time. A=F/M (Acceleration = Force/Mass)
Newton’s Third Law
Third law–action and reaction.
(a) Definition. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
How is chord measured? What can be determined from this?
The chord is measured from the leading edge to trailing edge of the airfoil. It provides longitudinal dimension and is self contained in the airfoil section
Why is center of pressure important?
the most important part of the air foil because all aerodynamic forces are considered to act
With an increase in speed of air over a surface what happens to dynamic pressure?
Higher dynamic pressure
What happens to static pressure?
With an increase in the speed of air over a surface, there will be a decrease in static pressure; conversely, with a decrease in speed, there will be an increase in static pressure.
What kind of lower camber does a nonsymmetrical airfoil have?
lower straight camber
What are the advantages of a symmetrical airfoil?
constant center of pressure
ease of construction
lower cost
Chord Line
It is an imaginary line which extends through the leading edge of which all angles and winds are measured
Blade Span
physical measurement of one blade from root to tip
Define resultant relative wind.
Rotational relative wind modified by induced flow.
Define angle of incidence.
What control moves it?
The angle between the chord of an airfoil and the plane of rotation (tip path plane.
It is a mechanical angle rather than an aerodynamic angle.
Collective
Which control changes the angle of incidence on all blades simultaneously?
Angle of incidence is changed on all blades simultaneously by collective pitch control.
Define angle of attack.
The angle between the chord of an airfoil and the resultant relative wind. Angle of Attack is an aerodynamic angle.
Can the angle of attack change with no change in angle of incidence?
Yes
How is angle of incidence measured?
from the chord line to the rotational relative wind
How is angle of attack measured?
from the chord line to the resultant relative wind
What is the relationship of lift to resultant relative wind?
Perpendicular to the resultant relative wind.
What is the relationship of drag to resultant relative wind?
Parallel to and in the same direction of the resultant relative wind.
What are the 4 types of drag?
Induced, Profile, Parasite, Total
What is Total Drag?
sum of induced, profile, and parasite
How does the rotor system compensate for dissymmetry of lift?
Flapping
What is another way to compensate for dissymmetry of lift?
cyclic feathering
If the velocity of the relative wind increases, will the airfoil produce more or less lift?
more
Induced Drag
results from producing lift. Decreases with increase in speed
major source of drag at a hover, but decreases with forward airspeed.
Profile Drag
caused by the frictional resistance of the rotor blades passing through the air. “main rotor blades”
remains relatively constant at low airspeed, but increases slightly at higher airspeed ranges.
Parasite Drag
drag created by the fuselage; i.e., strut, skin friction, interference, etc. (any non lifting components).
Everything else on the aircraft except the main rotors.
lowest point at a hover, but increases with airspeed. The major source of drag at higher airspeeds
Dissymmetry of Lift
Differential (unequal) lift between advancing and retreating halves of the rotor disk caused by the different wind flow velocity (directional flight, i.e., forward flight) across each half.
Blades must _____ and _____.
flap, cone
What temperature, pressure, and humidity will produce the most lift?
29.92”Hg, 15 degrees C
Semi-rigid rotor disc tilts in reference to what point on the aircraft?
The Mast
Articulated/rigid rotor disc tilts in reference to what point on the aircraft?
The Hub
What is centrifugal force?
the outward force produced whenever a body moves in a curved path.
Centrifugal force is proportional to
rotational velocity
Rotor blade coning is a compromise between what two forces?
The amount a blade will cone is a compromise between lift and centrifugal force.
Excessive stress forces on the blade could result in what conditions?
Excessive stress forces in the rotor could lead to blade cracking or blade separation from the rotor system.
Loss of disc area results in what effect?
Excessive Coning
Precession occurs what number of degrees after application?
The phenomenon of precession occurs in rotating bodies that manifest an applied force 90° after an application in the direction of rotation.