PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Maximum range airspeed in autorotation
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Old 17th May 2009, 00:02
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helopat
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Australia
Age: 59
Posts: 215
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Rokija,

If you add speed in auto you'll increase the range of the auto. A negative side effect will be increased rate of descent. Seems like the benefit (increased distance covered over the ground) might be canceled by the cost (increased RoD)...true, but when you get to the flare, you'll get a significantly longer flare (slower development) and this will stretch the glide and you'll realise your additional range.

Give it a try one day. Enter auto at the same point (altitude, point over the ground) at 69 and again at 89 kts. Start your flare at about the same height. The extra energy you've got to dissipate in the flare ends up extending your glide a fair bit.

In terms of wind, forget it. Whether you have no wind or 20 knots headwind, you'll get better range in auto with a slightly higher speed.

Hope this helps.

HP
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