Rotary Wing Aerodynamics

DIVClear, concise text covers aerodynamic phenomena of the rotor and offers guidelines for helicopter performance evaluation. Originally prepared for NASA. Prefaces. New Indexes. 10 black-and-white photos. 537 figures. /div

Drawing on his extensive experience as a practicing engineer, designer, educator, and researcher in rotorcraft, the author presents a comprehensive account of the fundamental concepts of structural dynamics and aeroelasticity for conventional rotary wing aircraft, as well as for the newly emerging tilt-rotor and tilt-wing concepts. Intended for use in graduate-level courses and by practicing engineers, the volume covers all of the important topics needed for the complete understanding of rotorcraft structural dynamics and aeroelasticity, including basic analysis tools, rotating beams, gyroscopic phenomena, drive system dynamics, fuselage vibrations, methods for controlling vibrations, dynamic test procedures, stability analysis, mechanical and aeromechanical instabilities of rotors and rotor-pylon assemblies, unsteady aerodynamics and flutter of rotors, and model testing. The text is further enhanced by the inclusion of problems in each chapter.

This title reports on the latest research in the area of aerodynamic efficency of various fixed-wing, flapping wing, and rotary wing concepts. It presents the progress made by over fifty active researchers in the field.