To: 4dogs
In the initial description of the rotor diagrams the blades were in the cone position with no introduction of cyclic. The diagrams were of the rotor system as viewed from the left-hand side.
In this diagram the rotating and driven axes are coincident with each other. With the introduction of forward cyclic the disc tilted forward and at this point the driven and rotating axes separated and lead and lag began. The diagrams showed the rotor disc in both conditions so there is no confusion.
To: The Nr Fairy
Someone above used the term negative flapping. This is not the same as negative coning. If you can visualize the rotor system in pure hover the rotor system is coned and is supporting the weight of the helicopter. With the introduction of forward cyclic the disc tilts taking the tip path past what would be termed the pure radial position of the blades. I believe this is what negative flapping meant.
To: John Farley
The basis of my stating that the Ice Skater analogy is not applicable is because the blade mass of the upward flapping blade is closer to the center of rotation and therefore, the blade leads. Assuming negative flapping to the same extent of upward flapping the blade mass is just as close to the rotational axis as the downward flapping blade. That is, if you view the disc from the left side. (See above). However if you view the disc head on you can see that the laterally disposed blades are on an equal plane and thus there is no difference between the blades. This is not to say that the mechanical forces are not there (conservation of angular momentum). I just feel that with adequate investigation it can be proven that the Ice Skater analogy is not consistent with what is happening in the rotor system. The only other alternative theory is that the upward flapping blade over the tail and the downward flapping blade over the nose react 90-degrees later much like gyroscopic precession as lead and lag are effected in the advancing blade and the retreating blade. (This is a joke).
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The Cat