Very interesting article.
Two questions that come to mind, which are probably covered in the test reports, but which I have never seen discussed in online writings, are:
- What aircraft reactions accompanied those instances where they actually encountered vortex ring state?
- In any of the actual vortex ring state events, was the effect of prop pitch increase evaluated?
BTW, Tom Macdonald, the V-22 Project Test Pilot for the V-22 had, during an earlier stage of his USN career, been stationed at the Naval Plant Representative Office at Sikorsky in Stratford Ct., where he certainly impressed all with his intelligence, flying skills and ability to navigate the shoal waters involving US Government flight acceptance of production aircraft!
Thanks,
John Dixson