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Thread: Bell X-Hawk
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Old 29th Aug 2006, 18:23
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Graviman
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
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Thanks for pointing this one out Hotzenplotz.

I'm curious how the X-hawk offers better gust stability than a conventional helicopter, unless just by virtue of the downwash velocity. It may have stabilisation, but then a conventional heli would benefit from stabilisation in the control system. I have no idea why this design would be better in icing conditions.

I can see the benefit of having enshrouded rotors in built up areas though, but the lack of autorotation capability in a machine hungry on fuel is not a good mix. Figure on it being the equivalent of a conventional with rotor diam 1.84 times rotor diam shown, since fairings add ~30% lift. I wonder if the pilots would be trained to fly sideways for better climb rates?

Nick, how much of a safeguard is a multiengine design against autorotation?

Mart
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