Experimental Investigation for a Small Helicopter in Hovering and Forward Flight Regimes
Publication: Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Volume 36, Issue 4
Abstract
In this effort, experiments are conducted for a small-scale remotely controlled (RC) helicopter in both hovering and forward flight modes. An open wind tunnel type is used as a source of forward airflow for the helicopter model with flow speed () ranges from 3 to . A test rig was designed and manufactured to provide safe and reliable averaged thrust measurement in hovering and forward flight regimes. The helicopter is controlled via an adhoc-designed graphical user interface program using a microcontroller along with sensors to measure the blade collective pitch (), rotational speed (), and shaft angle of attack (). The averaged thrust for the helicopter is measured and compared with blade element theory and an unsteady model based on strip theory. Measurements are conducted for six rotational speeds and five collective pitch angles in hovering mode. Additionally, forward flight measurements were conducted for five rotational speeds, five collective pitch angles, two forward airflow speeds, and two shaft angles of attack. Uncertainty analysis is performed to certify a statement of the obtained results by combining both bias uncertainty from measuring instrument specifications and precision uncertainty through experimental repeatability. Results can be used for preliminary sizing of rotors for such small helicopters in both flight modes.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
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© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 15, 2022
Accepted: Jan 31, 2023
Published online: Apr 7, 2023
Published in print: Jul 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Sep 7, 2023
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