Weight vs ROD in Autorotation
I know from experience and countless test pilots telling me so, that the weight vs rate of descent relationship, in autorotation, is counter-intuitive.
I have proven this to myself, and accept it as fact. But why is it so? I have heard a few arguments, all convincing, but 2 of them contradict each other.
I won't mention them as I do not want to muddy the waters - but will if asked. So, here is the statement - I am still looking to find a convincing argument...!
Take 2 IDENTICAL helicopters. They are exactly the same in every respect, except their weight. Both are put into autorotation at the same speed, density alt etc etc- EVERYTHING is identical except their weight - one is heavier.
For a given Nr, the heavy helicopter WILL have a lower RoD than the lighter one. This is a fact, and easy to prove.
My small brain cannot work this out. I know it to be fact, and have read it countless times. But why?