AirTalk.org Aviation discussions newsgroups   Archives   FAQ   Search   Memberlist   Usergroups   Register   Profile   Log in to check your private messages   Log in  I know almost nothing on helicopters...          AirTalk.org Forum Index -> Helicopters and rotary wing aircrafts View previous topic :: View next topic   Author Message Externet Guest Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2007 7:12 am    Post subject: I know almost nothing on helicopters... Hi. First post here. Always got it in my head, decided to ask today... What if the body of a helicopter was built shaped with some tilt, as a "sail" or with a vertical controllable aileron by its bottom, or both; in such way that the downstream air flow from the main rotor caused the same anti-torque as a tail rotor? Trying other words... If the tail of a helicopter was vertical thin wing shaped, with a controllable aileron to counteract the main rotor torque by deflecting some downflow sideways in the right amount, to eliminate the tail rotor... would it work? Would it be too shaky because of the main blades spacing ? Pardon if my wording is not proper. Miguel Back to top General Dog Guest Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2007 7:12 am    Post subject: Re: I know almost nothing on helicopters... Externet wrote: Quote: Hi. First post here. Always got it in my head, decided to ask today... What if the body of a helicopter was built shaped with some tilt, as a "sail" or with a vertical controllable aileron by its bottom, or both; in such way that the downstream air flow from the main rotor caused the same anti-torque as a tail rotor? Trying other words... If the tail of a helicopter was vertical thin wing shaped, with a controllable aileron to counteract the main rotor torque by deflecting some downflow sideways in the right amount, to eliminate the tail rotor... would it work? Would it be too shaky because of the main blades spacing ? Pardon if my wording is not proper. Miguel Tailbooms have been made with the wing shape you mention, and a controllable aileron isn't necessary. The idea works but isn't enough, by itself, to completely eliminate the tail rotor. Back to top Linc Guest Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2007 5:15 pm    Post subject: Re: I know almost nothing on helicopters... You probably would encounter different issues. One would be the downward pressure on the fin would require a different rigging of the main rotor that would limit forward tilt and airspeed. Another consideration would be that it would become less effective or ineffective in forward flight as less of the downwash would be available for redirection to counter the torque effect. Above ETL most light helicopter tail rotors are considered to be out of the rotor downwash. And I think that simply using an airfoil or deflector alone would not give you the amount of control that any of the current antitorque methods provide. The closest you can get is the NOTAR system developed by Hughes Tool Co. Aircraft Division and currently produced by MD Helicopters (http:// www.mdhelicopters.com). Which uses the Coanda effect but requires additional measures to ensure the boundary layer exists to get the lift effect. Linc On Jan 19, 11:43 pm, "Externet" <exter...@inorbit.com> wrote: Quote: Hi. First post here. Always got it in my head, decided to ask today... What if the body of a helicopter was built shaped with some tilt, as a "sail" or with a vertical controllable aileron by its bottom, or both; in such way that the downstream air flow from the main rotor caused the same anti-torque as a tail rotor? Trying other words... If the tail of a helicopter was vertical thin wing shaped, with a controllable aileron to counteract the main rotor torque by deflecting some downflow sideways in the right amount, to eliminate the tail rotor... would it work? Would it be too shaky because of the main blades spacing ? Pardon if my wording is not proper. Miguel Back to top Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First         AirTalk.org Forum Index -> Helicopters and rotary wing aircrafts All times are GMT Page 1 of 1   Jump to: Select a forum Aviation----------------alt.aviationAviation safety EnhancementPlanes, gliders and flying in AustraliaAviation et pilotage (Français)rec.aviationAviation (Aerobatics)Hot air, gas balloons and airshipsHang-gliding, paragliding, foot-launched flightAircraft Design & BuildingInstrument Flight RulesAviation (Classifieds)Military AircraftNaval AviationAviation (Miscellaneous Topics)Owning AirplanesAviators (General Discussions)Aviation related productsAircraft RestorationHelicopters and rotary wing aircraftsFlight SimulationSailplanesAviation (Students)Light aircraftFlying related activities in the UK Airports----------------alt.airportsEdinburgh Airport Glasgow Airport Humberside Airport Luton Airport Aberdeen Airport Glasgow Prestwick Airport  You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2006 phpBB Group SEO toolkit © 2004-2006 webmedic.