To: whatsarunway
I would assume that if the Robinson swashplate were lower down on the mast like a Bell 206 the pitch links would have to be very stiff in order to counter the centrifugal loads that would cause them to bow outward. Because of this tendency to bend or, bow outward the attaching adjustable hardware at each end of the pitch link would have to be strengthened as would the swashplate and blade attach points and this would add weight. If you add weight to the pitch links the stiffness must increase again because of the higher centrifugal loading.
The mast length on the Robbie like that on the 206 has to be long because of the low rotor blade/rotorhead interlock. It supplies a longer moment arm.
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The Cat
[This message has been edited by Lu Zuckerman (edited 21 December 2000).]