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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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(a)<br />

(b)<br />

<strong>Helicopter</strong> performance 331<br />

Fig. 8.5 Power as a function <strong>of</strong> airspeed. At (a) <strong>the</strong> various contributions from different sources have different<br />

functions <strong>of</strong> airspeed. At (b) flight is only possible where available power exceeds required power. With high<br />

AUW <strong>the</strong> power needed exceeds that available over part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> speed range. High density altitude reduces <strong>the</strong><br />

power available and also limits <strong>the</strong> speed range.<br />

power over a range <strong>of</strong> airspeeds and <strong>the</strong> conditions for a high density altitude where<br />

<strong>the</strong> available power has fallen. Once more level flight is only possible over a range <strong>of</strong><br />

airspeeds.<br />

8.6 Flyingfor maximum range<br />

<strong>The</strong> airspeed that will yield <strong>the</strong> greatest range is not obvious. <strong>The</strong> problem can be<br />

approached by considering that greater distance can be flown at higher speed, provided<br />

it does not require disproportionately more power. <strong>The</strong> key here is <strong>the</strong> proportionality.<br />

If an increase in airspeed <strong>of</strong>, say, 5% needs a power increase <strong>of</strong> 4%, <strong>the</strong>n obviously it<br />

is worth going faster, whereas if a speed increase <strong>of</strong> 5% requires a power increase <strong>of</strong><br />

6% <strong>the</strong> range will fall. Consequently an approximation to <strong>the</strong> best range in still air is

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