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The Art of the Helicopter John Watkinson - Karatunov.net

The Art of the Helicopter John Watkinson - Karatunov.net

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182 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Art</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Helicopter</strong><br />

Fig. 5.11 <strong>The</strong> stabilator is a variable incidence tail plane that aligns itself with <strong>the</strong> direction <strong>of</strong> airflow in<br />

different flight regimes to improve performance. In forward flight, (a) a slight negative angle <strong>of</strong> incidence<br />

produces a downthrust to counter hull drag which acts below <strong>the</strong> rotor head. At (b) in <strong>the</strong> hover <strong>the</strong> stabilator<br />

adopts a large positive angle <strong>of</strong> incidence to prevent <strong>the</strong> creation <strong>of</strong> a download. At (c) in <strong>the</strong> climb a smaller<br />

positive angle <strong>of</strong> attack is beneficial. In autorotation (d) a negative angle <strong>of</strong> incidence prevents an unwanted<br />

upthrust.<br />

Although stabilators are generally considered a good thing, some thought has to be<br />

given during <strong>the</strong> design process to <strong>the</strong> results <strong>of</strong> an actuator or control system failure<br />

leaving <strong>the</strong> stabilator in an inappropriate attitude. In a machine with a zero-<strong>of</strong>fset<br />

head this would probably not be acceptable. In a machine with higher control power<br />

<strong>the</strong> incorrect tail loads following an actuator failure could be overcome by <strong>the</strong> cyclic<br />

control at least at low airspeed.<br />

In light helicopters <strong>the</strong> actuator could be a pneumatic device driven by a combination<br />

<strong>of</strong> dynamic pressure from a pitot so that it responds to airspeed and manifold pressure<br />

so it responds to power level. It may be advantageous to mount <strong>the</strong> tail plane on a<br />

viscous damper with a suitable time constant that would stabilize brief perturbations<br />

whilst aligning to long-term trends.<br />

5.8 Fins<br />

Fins may be applied to helicopters for <strong>the</strong> same reason as on fixed-wing aircraft: to<br />

enhance yaw stability in forward flight. Secondary purposes <strong>of</strong> fins may be to allow <strong>the</strong><br />

machine to fly on following a tail rotor failure or to enhance control in autorotation,<br />

especially in helicopters not having a tail rotor.<br />

Fins are seen in a variety <strong>of</strong> locations as designers seek various compromises. In<br />

<strong>the</strong> case <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> high-mounted tail rotor, <strong>the</strong> tail rotor pylon is naturally extended and<br />

streamlined to form <strong>the</strong> fin. Low-mounted tail rotors with a single fin tend to suffer<br />

blockage as <strong>the</strong> tail rotor and <strong>the</strong> fin have to be in <strong>the</strong> same place to clear <strong>the</strong> main<br />

rotor. Blockage can be avoided by using end plates on <strong>the</strong> tail plane as fins. <strong>The</strong>se also<br />

make <strong>the</strong> tail plane more efficient as tip loss is reduced.

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