principals of flight

What is needed in order to overcome the downward force of gravity

• • Some source of upward force to cancel it out 

• • the upward force created by the difference in air pressure above and below the blade 

• • A line drawn between the leading edge and the training edge of the airfoil 

• • The angle between the chord line and the direction of the incoming air

What is lift

• • A positive AOA

• • A line drawn between the leading edge and the training edge of the airfoil 

• • The helicopter itself, all of its passengers, cargo, fuel and anything else that would fall to the ground

• • the upward force created by the difference in air pressure above and below the blade 

What is the amount of lift dependent on 

• • Force that is needed to move the helicopter horizontally 

• • A positive AOA

• • Material,shape of the airfoil, and the density if the air in the vicinity 

• • The angle between  the chord line and the direction of the rotors spin

What is the pitch angle

• • Drag that increases increases with airspeed and is the dominant type of drag at high speeds

• • The angle between  the chord line and the direction of the rotors spin

• • Converting lift via alterations to the pitch angle and AOA

• • Parasitic, profile, and induced

What is the chord line

• • Force that is needed to move the helicopter horizontally 

• • The opposing force of thrust and the wind exerting force on an object 

• • Converting lift via alterations to the pitch angle and AOA

• • A line drawn between the leading edge and the training edge of the airfoil 

What is the AOA (Angle of Attack)

• • The angle between the chord line and the direction of the incoming air

• • Force that is needed to move the helicopter horizontally 

• • ‘Non-lifting portions of the helicopter, fuselage,engine cowlings,hub,mast, landing gear, and external loads

• • The point at which lift and drag is the highest 

What is typically needed to create lift

• • Drag that is created by the frictional foils

• • ‘Non-lifting portions of the helicopter, fuselage,engine cowlings,hub,mast, landing gear, and external loads

• • Force that is needed to move the helicopter horizontally 

• • A positive AOA

What does the weight of the helicopter refer to 

• Drag that increases increases with airspeed and is the dominant type of drag at high speeds

• • The helicopter itself, all of its passengers, cargo, fuel and anything else that would fall to the ground

• • Converting lift via alterations to the pitch angle and AOA

• • The opposing force of thrust and the wind exerting force on an object 

What is thrust

• • Drag that increases with airspeed and is the dominant type of drag at high speeds

• • Drag that is created by the frictional foils

• • Force that is needed to move the helicopter horizontally 

• • Basic empty weight, maximum gross weight, weight limitations, internal maximum weight, external maximum weight

How is thrust primarily created 

• • Converting lift via alterations to the pitch angle and AOA

• • Force that is needed to move the helicopter horizontally 

• • Drag that increases increases with airspeed and is the dominant type of drag at high speeds