Programmed Pilotage as a Means of Improving Rotorcraft Performance in Level Flight

摘要

Airframe drag reduction and engine duct design, while necessary to the improvement of performance, cannot alone offset the aerodynamic limitations inherent in rotary wing flight. The latter, which have become predominant with the advent of high output turboshaft engines must then be overcome by other means discussed in this paper. Programmed pilotage techniques which utilize real-time flight data to vary aerodynamic parameters are investigated and incorporated in the preliminary design of a high-speed rotorcraft. The rotor speed and the contribution of lift from a fixed wing are thus optimized throughout the flight envelope, thereby greatly enhancing level flight speed characteristics. (Author)