Evaluation Of Aerodynamic Performance Methods For A Helicopter In Forward Flight

Abstract

The purpose of this project has been to evaluate and compare methods for predicting rotor performance. This evaluation suggests that rotor performance prediction can be accomplished using simple closed form algebraic equations. More advanced methods which divide up the rotor blade into sections for performance calculations do not predict significantly better results. The advantage of these methods results from their ability to predict blade airloads. In most flight simulations this information is not of importance though. Therefore, only needless mathematical modeling and increased computational time results from the use of large blade element rotor performance programs.