Max range and fuel flow
New member to the forum, hope this makes it to the originator. Great refresher on the engine aspects, think I found the right place to read up on helo issues. One other aspect about constant power settings and fuel flow is the performance of the rotor system itself and the variable weights of the helo. If the desire is to make the most out of your fuel, you must use a combo of the two aspects, engine performance and rotor efficiency. Max range in a helo can be deceiving in concept since it may only be a gain of 10 miles by flying the more conservative power setting. Either way, when the helo is heavy, it is better to fly lower where the rotor blades can be more efficient with denser air, but as you burn off that fuel, the engines won't have to work as hard to keep Nr 100% and you can climb to take advantage of the very principals you brought up. If you have to perform a mission at the max range of your helo, go low on the way there, return high on the way back...works everytime (unless there are unfavorable winds aloft)
Last edited by Phrogman; 15th April 2008 at 10:46.
Reason: one more thing