Welcome to "Helicopter Flight Dynamics"
Thank you for your interest in the dynamics of helicopters.
"Whatever progress the airplane might make, the helicopter will come to be taken by advanced students of aeronautics"
Thomas Edison
“We built the first helicopter by what we hoped was intelligent guess. It was time of crystal ball” Igor Alexis Sikorsky
Module description
This course covers the fundamental aerodynamic principles that govern helicopter flight, with an emphasis on rotor dynamics and performance. Key topics include momentum theory and blade element theory, which form the basis for understanding rotor thrust and induced flow. The course addresses the complex behavior of rotor blades and covers flapping dynamics and wake motion, which are essential for analyzing rotor stability and vibration characteristics. In addition, participants will examine the effects of aerodynamic forces on rotor behavior and performance in forward flight, hover and autorotation. This course is aimed at anyone wishing to gain an in-depth technical understanding of helicopter aerodynamics and rotor mechanics in aerospace engineering.