Why dont they????
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 651
Likes: 127
From: West
Why dont they????
Question came up on why technology from other industries are not incorporated into use on helicopters. Cost would be the most obvious.
For example cell technologly, weighs the aircraft and gives a weight and CG readout in the cockpit. Nick informed me that this has been used on larger models.
Far fetched: golf balls have dimples on the surface to make them fly straighter, any good use for that concept in helicopters?
Would the shape of the vanes on the GE engines benefit helicopter engine performance?
http://www.geae.com/education/engines101/
Any ideas that are eating at you to get them into future designs?
For example cell technologly, weighs the aircraft and gives a weight and CG readout in the cockpit. Nick informed me that this has been used on larger models.
Far fetched: golf balls have dimples on the surface to make them fly straighter, any good use for that concept in helicopters?
Would the shape of the vanes on the GE engines benefit helicopter engine performance?
http://www.geae.com/education/engines101/
Any ideas that are eating at you to get them into future designs?
Joined: Sep 2002
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 4,721
Likes: 636
From: Great South East, tired and retired
Havoc: The dimples only work because the golf ball is spinning so fast. On a helo, it might help the tail rotor failure situation, but that's about all.
But there are lots of other areas to improve - there was a thread about this last year.
Car technology should improve:
- pilot seats, to have more comfort, lumbar support, arm rests, cup holders
- air conditioning. The $1000 option in a Hyundai works better than the $50,000 option in an S76
- HUD. Mercedes has it, Bell should too.
- Central locking, with engine disabler. (only works when engine already shut down and cold, batteries off)
But there are lots of other areas to improve - there was a thread about this last year.
Car technology should improve:
- pilot seats, to have more comfort, lumbar support, arm rests, cup holders
- air conditioning. The $1000 option in a Hyundai works better than the $50,000 option in an S76
- HUD. Mercedes has it, Bell should too.
- Central locking, with engine disabler. (only works when engine already shut down and cold, batteries off)
Guest
Posts: n/a
Ditto to the crap seats and lack of cup holders.. PLUS
Doors that:
a) stay attached to the vehicle (aircraft)
b) door handles that both work AND do not come off in your hand.
And while we're at it.. cabin heaters that do something other than - "all or nothing" and for good measure how about a nice simple windscreen wiper that manages to actualy clear some rain away rather than flap around uselessly in mid air..??
Doors that:
a) stay attached to the vehicle (aircraft)
b) door handles that both work AND do not come off in your hand.
And while we're at it.. cabin heaters that do something other than - "all or nothing" and for good measure how about a nice simple windscreen wiper that manages to actualy clear some rain away rather than flap around uselessly in mid air..??
Hovering AND talking
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,711
Likes: 1
From: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
My attempts at modifying helicopters to have dimples haven't been an outstanding success . . .
Cheers
Whirls
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,308
Likes: 0
From: Cornwall
"Helicopter Manufacturer" is an oxymoron
Helicopter are made down-to-a-weight. When the "assembler" (better term than manufacturer in most cases) buys bits he has a lot of boxes to tick. Nobody seems to give a s**t about whether they actually work or not.
I'm going to begin a list and hope someone else will finish it off:
SeaKing 1 - Hydraulic Screen Wipers that failed every time after 10 mins use
Most Types - A PA system that can only be heard if the engines are NOT running.
Seats we have done to death but always deserve a mention - particularly the S61 "killers" otherwise known for their contribution to the profits of those that make haemerrhoid suppositories.
S76 Brakes - Minimalist or what!
S61 "Purge meter" or screen wash - the guy who put that there had a hell of a sense of humour
Luggage bays - read handbag container
Bo 105 Rotor brake - one way of exercising your right arm providing you don't need to stop the rotor in winds above 40 kts
Bo 105 Stab System - rearrange the three green lights in any order you like and see if you can tell if the sytem is in or out.
Go on - vent your wrath, maybe the odd designer or two is reading this thread.
G
I'm going to begin a list and hope someone else will finish it off:
SeaKing 1 - Hydraulic Screen Wipers that failed every time after 10 mins use
Most Types - A PA system that can only be heard if the engines are NOT running.
Seats we have done to death but always deserve a mention - particularly the S61 "killers" otherwise known for their contribution to the profits of those that make haemerrhoid suppositories.
S76 Brakes - Minimalist or what!
S61 "Purge meter" or screen wash - the guy who put that there had a hell of a sense of humour
Luggage bays - read handbag container
Bo 105 Rotor brake - one way of exercising your right arm providing you don't need to stop the rotor in winds above 40 kts
Bo 105 Stab System - rearrange the three green lights in any order you like and see if you can tell if the sytem is in or out.
Go on - vent your wrath, maybe the odd designer or two is reading this thread.
G
Last edited by Geoffersincornwall; 16th November 2005 at 07:45.
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Any ideas that are eating at you to get them into future designs?
If you hunger for future improvements, you may have to swallow this.
