Bone Question
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Joined: Oct 2001
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From: wherever will have me
Bone Question
Just a quick question - if a fixed wing has got 3 axes (lateral, normal and longtitudinal), what do you call them in a rotary wing, because haven't you got 4? Or am I being thick?
Cheers!
Cheers!
Joined: May 2003
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From: OS SX2063
WhoWhenWhy
Exactly That, the thrust generated by the tail rotor controls yaw (rotation) about that axis, and due to the fact that we can change the magnitude the thrust generated by the main rotor it gives us the ability to move up and down the normal axis.
Tail rotor thrust is controlled by the Yaw Pedals, Main rotor thrust magnitude is controlled by the collective pitch lever and the RPM of the main rotor which is sometimes manually controlled or sometimes mechanically or electrically governed. Although we usually operate most helicopters at constant RPM for the type.
Changing the alignment of that rotor thrust in space is what gives us control over where the aircraft goes.
As opposed to a traditional fixed wing which is usually pushed or pulled by something aligned roughly along the longitudinal axis and which needs to be moving itself to be able to rotate about any of the axes.
GS
Exactly That, the thrust generated by the tail rotor controls yaw (rotation) about that axis, and due to the fact that we can change the magnitude the thrust generated by the main rotor it gives us the ability to move up and down the normal axis.
Tail rotor thrust is controlled by the Yaw Pedals, Main rotor thrust magnitude is controlled by the collective pitch lever and the RPM of the main rotor which is sometimes manually controlled or sometimes mechanically or electrically governed. Although we usually operate most helicopters at constant RPM for the type.
Changing the alignment of that rotor thrust in space is what gives us control over where the aircraft goes.
As opposed to a traditional fixed wing which is usually pushed or pulled by something aligned roughly along the longitudinal axis and which needs to be moving itself to be able to rotate about any of the axes.
GS
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 751
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From: wherever will have me
VeeAny - many thanks. I should have just asked that question in the first place because that was the answer that I needed! Whirlygig, if you ever come up with a way of controlling the 4th dimension please let me know - I'd pay a lot!!!
Below the Glidepath - not correcting
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: U.S.A.
Not forgettng that the Normal Axis is also called the Vertical Axis (eaiser to visualize). May be a Naval throwback, but equipment mounted aligned with the Lateral Axis is referred to as "Athwartships" - is that not a great word?
