Rotor performance while transitioning from horizontal to vertical flight

What is it about?

In modern aircraft designs, rotors may transition between horizontal (like an aeroplane) and vertical (like a helicopter) flight modes. They may also encounter gusts of wind caused by nearby buildings, which result in similar aerodynamic effects. We have performed experiments to show how the thrust and power requirements of the rotor are affected by these conditions.

Featured Image

Photo by Hyundai Motor Group on Unsplash

Photo by Hyundai Motor Group on Unsplash

Why is it important?

We define a new parameter for characterising the rate of transition between flight modes, and link this to the expected performance of the rotor during a manoeuvre. We show that in the event of a rapid transition (or a strong gust), the rotor performance changes significantly. This is important for maintaining stability and control of the aircraft.