Tail Rotor Performance in Presence of Main Rotor, Ground, and Winds

Abstract
A test of a model helicopter rig with an 8‐foot‐diameter main rotor and 1.57‐foot‐diameter tail rotor was conducted in the Boeing Vertol V/STOL wind tunnel to investigate the characteristics of tail rotor performance in the presence of the main rotor. The effects of vertical and longitudinal tail rotor placement, direction of rotation, relative fin location, and fin‐tail rotor separation on tail rotor thrust developed and power required were determined. Tests were conducted in wind speeds from zero to 35 knots, and in wind azimuth positions from 0 (headwind) to 270 degrees (left side flight). Operation at various heights both in ground effect and out of ground effect was included. Horizontal stabilizer loads were measured in forward and rearward flight. Correlation of directional control limits with full‐scale flight tests was obtained. In addition, tuft board and smoke photographs were taken of the ground and wingtip vortices.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: