barnstorm2
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2003
- Messages
- 14,573
- Location
- Cincinnati, Ohio
- Aircraft
- 2-place Air Command CLT SxS (project), & Twinstarr Autogyro
- Total Flight Time
- 750+hrs and climbing
Piasecki tests new helicopter thruster
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/breaking/8460347.html
By Henry J. Holcomb
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Piasecki Aircraft Corp. of Essington said today it has successfully completed the first test flight of a new thruster designed to enable helicopters to fly much farther and faster at less cost than currently.
Conventional helicopter tail rotors blow air sideways to counter the torque of the whirling main rotors and help control the direction of the aircraft. Piasecki said its new X-49A ducted propeller vectored tail thruster faces rear-ward and directs thrust at angles controlled by the pilot. This both controls the lateral torque and adds forward thrust.
The evaluation is managed by the U.S. Army Aviation Applied Technology Directorate, Fort Eustis, Va.
The company said the first phase is using a modified Sikorsky SH-60F Seahawk helicopter to test performance and vibration reduction within existing speed and maneuvering limits of the SH-60F. If further results are positive, a second phase has been proposed to test potential drag reduction features and other enhancements at higher speeds, the Piasecki announcement said.
The system, called a "ring-tail ducted fan," is designed to enhance the performance of existing helicopters, including the Army's H-60, AH-64 and the Marine Corps H-1, as well as become part of future helicopters.
Frank N. Piasecki, founder, chairman and president of Piasecki Aircraft, is the second American after Igor Sikorsky to develop and fly a helicopter. He pioneered the tandem-rotor concept that led to the Army Chinook and Navy Sea Knight helicopters now built by Boeing in Philadelphia.
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/breaking/8460347.html
By Henry J. Holcomb
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Piasecki Aircraft Corp. of Essington said today it has successfully completed the first test flight of a new thruster designed to enable helicopters to fly much farther and faster at less cost than currently.
Conventional helicopter tail rotors blow air sideways to counter the torque of the whirling main rotors and help control the direction of the aircraft. Piasecki said its new X-49A ducted propeller vectored tail thruster faces rear-ward and directs thrust at angles controlled by the pilot. This both controls the lateral torque and adds forward thrust.
The evaluation is managed by the U.S. Army Aviation Applied Technology Directorate, Fort Eustis, Va.
The company said the first phase is using a modified Sikorsky SH-60F Seahawk helicopter to test performance and vibration reduction within existing speed and maneuvering limits of the SH-60F. If further results are positive, a second phase has been proposed to test potential drag reduction features and other enhancements at higher speeds, the Piasecki announcement said.
The system, called a "ring-tail ducted fan," is designed to enhance the performance of existing helicopters, including the Army's H-60, AH-64 and the Marine Corps H-1, as well as become part of future helicopters.
Frank N. Piasecki, founder, chairman and president of Piasecki Aircraft, is the second American after Igor Sikorsky to develop and fly a helicopter. He pioneered the tandem-rotor concept that led to the Army Chinook and Navy Sea Knight helicopters now built by Boeing in Philadelphia.
