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Effects of rotor inertia and rpm control on helicopter handling qualitiesThe effects of thrust-response characteristics on helicopter handling qualities have until recently remained largely undefined. A multiphase program is being conducted to study, in a generic sense and through ground simulation, the effects of engine and rotor response characteristics, excess power, and vertical damping on specific maneuvers included in nap-of-the-earth (NOE) operations. This paper describes the most recent of these phases: a simulation in which the effects on handling qualities of rotor inertia and rpm changes were considered. Thrust- and height-response characteristics to step-control inputs are included to document the configurations investigated. Results indicate that with a given engine response and unlimited power, large changes in rotor inertia have little effect on handling qualities for certain low-speed tasks and hover tasks. The effects on handling qualities of requiring the pilot to maintain proper rotor rpm limits were also studied. This investigation revealed that large fluctuations in rotor rpm degrade handling qualities; as a result, continued study of the use of methods to automate control of rotor rpm is recommended.
Document ID
19830060689
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Corliss, L. D.
(NASA Ames Research Center; U.S. Army, Aeromechanics Laboratory, Moffett Field CA, United States)
Blanken, C. L.
(U.S. Army, Aeromechanics Laboratory, Moffett Field CA, United States)
Nelson, K.
(Computer Sciences Corp. Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 11, 2013
Publication Date
August 1, 1983
Subject Category
Aircraft Stability And Control
Report/Patent Number
AIAA PAPER 83-2070
Accession Number
83A41907
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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