Seddon J., Newman S. Basic Helicopter Aerodynamics: An account of first principles in the fluid mechanics and flight dynamics of the single rotor helicopter

2nd edition. — Blackwell Science, 2002. — 197 p. — ISBN: 063205283X.This volume is an excellent introduction to the aerodynamics of helicopters. It provides an account of the first principles in the fluid mechanics and flight dynamics of single-rotor helicopters. The text is intended to provide, in a short volume, an introduction to the theory of rotary-wing aircraft for use by undergraduate and graduate students, while providing a detailed description of the physical phenomena involved. The text assumes that the reader already has some knowledge of differences between the fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft. Many diagrams, drawings, graphs, and representative sets of data augment the text.UnitsRotor in Vertical Flight: Momentum Theory and Wake Analysis
Momentum theory for hover
Figure of merit
Momentum theory for vertical climb
Vertical descent
Complete induced-velocity curve
Autorotation
Summary remarks on momentum theory
Complexity of real wake
Wake analysis methods
Ground effectRotor in Vertical Flight: Blade Element Theory
Basic method
Thrust approximations
Non-uniform inflow
Ideal twist
Blade mean lift coefficient
Power approximations
Tip loss
Example of hover characteristicsRotor Mechanisms for Forward Flight
The edgewise rotor
Flapping motion
Rotor control
Equivalence of flapping and featheringRotor Aerodynamics in Forward Flight
Momentum theory
Wake analysis
Blade element theory
Factors involved
Thrust
In-plane H force
Torque and power
Flapping coefficients
Typical numerical valuesAerodynamic Design
Introductory
Blade section design
Blade tip shapes
Parasite drag
Rear fuselage upsweep
Higher harmonic control
Aerodynamic design processPerformance
Introductory
Hover and vertical flight
Forward level flight
Climb in forward flight
Optimum speeds
Maximum level speed
Rotor limits envelope
Accurate performance prediction
A world speed record
Speculation on the really-low-drag helicopter
An exercise in high-altitude operationTrim, Stability and Control
Trim
Treatment of stability and control
Static stability
Incidence disturbance
Forward speed disturbance
Angular velocity (pitch or roll rate) disturbance
Sideslip disturbance
Yawing disturbance
General conclusion
Dynamic stability
Analytical process
Special case of hover
Hingeless rotor
Control
Autostabilization