|
Rotorcraft Flying Menu >Aerodynamics
of Flight > Vertical Flight
Hovering is actually an element of vertical
flight. Increasing the angle of attack of the rotor blades (pitch)
while their velocity remains constant generates addi-tional
vertical lift and thrust and the helicopter ascends. Decreasing
the pitch causes the helicopter to descend. In a no wind condition
when lift and thrust are less than weight and drag, the helicopter
descends vertically. If lift and thrust are greater than weight
and drag, the hel-icopter ascends vertically. [Figure 3-10]
Figure 3-10. To ascend vertically,
more lift and thrust must be generated to overcome the forces
of weight and the drag.
|
