Application of a Mechanical Gyroscopic Stabilizer to VTOL Aircraft

摘要

The application of mechanical gyroscopic stabilizers to VTOL aircraft has been studied from design and flying qualities considerations. Design ofstudies of a single degree of freedom gyroscopic stabilizer and a gyroscopic stabilizer bar have been made to devise a reliable, lightweight, compact and inexpensive mechanical stabilizer. The selection of parameters for the design of the stabilizers was made utilizing existing analysis and stability derivatives for two tilt wing VTOL aircraft. The stabilizer parameter evaluation procedure was established based on the available flying qualities criteria. The results of this program show the single degree of freedom stabilizer is less expensive, lighter weight and is more compact than the stabilizer bar. The single degree of freedom stabilizer will weigh 20 pounds and will occupy one half a cubic foot of volume to provide attitude and rate stabilization about the pitch and roll axes of VTOL aircraft. (Author)