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Old 4th Dec 2006, 20:49
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NickLappos
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
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Your source materials are clearly poor in describing ground resonance, even the vaunted Wagtendonk. The number of blades has NOTHING to do with ground resonance, ground resonance is only possible if the blades have lead-lag motion. Most 2 bladed helos do not have any lead-lag, nor does the 3-bladed V22. They cannot experience ground resonance as a result.

If a helo has oleos, they are there to PREVENT ground resonance.

Ground resonance is a condition where the rotor blades hunt back and forth as the aircraft rocks on the ground. The blades and the aircraft motion build up a resonance that makes extremely high vibratory energy that can take the helicopter apart. During rotor runup, the rotor passes through two regions where the rotor and the fuselage can tune to resonance, one at about 30% and the other at about 60% Nr. The rotor blade dampers and the oleos are designed to damp these vibrations and make ground resonance entirely disappear.

If you experience ground resonance, cut the throttles immediately, this makes the blades all go to the lead position, and helps quell the resonance immediately. If you then apply the rotor brake, the blades are also tossed forward and pinned there by the rotor deceleration, a very quick cure. The pilot in this case made a very poor desicion to not cut the throttles, and his helo paid the price. Even if he had to switch hands, or stand on his head, cutting the throttle was #1 on his list. Cutting fuel is NOT a good idea, it takes too much time to starve the engine.
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