Originally Posted by
Luther Sebastian
Didn’t expect them to say it was noisier...
Tickle: Thanks for sharing the links. Have seen YouTube video about fenestron in the past, but not these. Love all the old footage in part 1. Also interesting to see the 'highly' modified AS350Z Squirrel with fenestron in part 2, and the spanwise curved fenestron blades (on D-HEEX?) at 2:02 in part 3. Did such curved blades make their way into production fenestron units or did that remain experimental?
As for noise, good they concede in Part 1 that this was originally one of the disadvantages, along with additional weight and cost. But with all the developments they touch on in the other parts, I think it is fair to say the noise issue has been overcome. Haven't ever heard a Gazelle in flight, but the early Dauphins certainly had a high pitch 'scream', not that it was unpleasant for a helicopter enthusiast! In contrast, I am always impressed by how quiet the EC 120 is when it flies over.