To: heedm
The pilot of a CH-47 has absolutely no fore and aft cyclic input. As I had indicated previously the cyclic is input automatically when the aircraft reaches approximately 60 Knots.** The pilot has no part in it. The cyclic that is input is forward cyclic and this forward cyclic will be removed when the aircraft reaches a speed below 60 Knots. In a conventional helicopter the pilot can pull the cyclic back to flare to arrest his speed and at the same time increase rotor speed. This can’t be done on a CH-47 if you enter an autorotation going forward. Cyclic input can only be made when the aircraft is flying sideways and the reason for that is the pilot introduced left or right cyclic.
**On the CH-47 the highest contributor to maintenance action and overhaul cost are the two rotorheads. Because the rotorheads are mainly in full collective in a hover and a reduced collective on the Fwd. Rotor and an increased collective on the rear rotor when flying forward the rotor heads are 90% scrapped during overhaul due to the high stress levels. Boeing is developing a new elastomeric rotorhead and I will guarantee you that it won’t last as long as the rotor system it replaces
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The Cat