Torque variation with speed
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Pastures new
Torque variation with speed
I’m thinking of tandem rotor aerodynamics here.
Does torque vary with increasing speed for a fixed collective setting? If so I’d be grateful for an explanation.
Does torque vary with increasing speed for a fixed collective setting? If so I’d be grateful for an explanation.


Joined: Sep 2002
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
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From: Great South East, tired and retired
Here's a guess from a non-tandem person:
As the speed increases, the relative airflow is less of the vertical and more of the horizontal. Induced flow decreases, the Total Reaction isn't bent backwards so far, so the torque required to overcome the horizontal (backwards) component of TR is less.
As the speed increases, the relative airflow is less of the vertical and more of the horizontal. Induced flow decreases, the Total Reaction isn't bent backwards so far, so the torque required to overcome the horizontal (backwards) component of TR is less.

Joined: Apr 2000
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From: EGDC
AC - but the front head affects the rear head in mysterious ways -
And he is talking about fixed collective vs torque as speed increases - in a single rotor you would mention the vertical stabiliser offloading the TR but that doesn't happen in a tandem (I think)
And he is talking about fixed collective vs torque as speed increases - in a single rotor you would mention the vertical stabiliser offloading the TR but that doesn't happen in a tandem (I think)
Thread Starter

Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 359
Likes: 19
From: Pastures new
I’m not surprised to have had so few replies - it’s not as simple as single rotor PoF. I suspect that there will be a small torque reduction as there is a small pedal input needed in the hover to maintain heading because of the unequal proportion of lift generated by each head (Chinook 45% front, 55% aft) at different heights thus creating a couple - the tandem rotor equivalent of tail rotor roll.




