NOPECOPTER: maple seed inspired assymetric helicopter

[Parallax]

I'm not sure how well FAR models this, but if you've got any horizontal velocity at all you may be dealing with asymmetric lift due to differences in the relative wind speed over the blade as it goes from the advancing to retreating side relative to your direction of travel. This would be exacerbated by a high AoA, and in extreme case of high forward airspeed and high AoA you might stall the blade when it moves to the retreating side, causing massive vibrations, uncontrolled rolling, and crashing.

Having said all that... what's it's max forward speed?

I think FAR has a utility that highlights your wings to show how stalled they are midflight, might give that a whirl later tonight

[KHTRE]

That is AWESOME

[WhiteKnuckle]

I think FAR has a utility that highlights your wings to show how stalled they are midflight, might give that a whirl later tonight

Yup, tint stall. Works great diagnosing problems with planes and I'd be really interested to see what (if anything) it shows you with your Maple seed o' death.

I can help if you've got any basic questions about helicopter aerodynamics... but I'm not sure how much of it will translate to this monster you've created. Hell, I didn't even think something like that would be possible in real life until you posted the Lockheed video

[Parallax]

just found this: https://oldmachinepress.wordpress.com/2012/09/06/papin-rouilly-gyroptere-gyropter/ more about that pre ww1 craft i posted earlier, very interesting read

Edited January 31, 2015 by Parallax

[WhiteKnuckle]

just found this: https://oldmachinepress.wordpress.com/2012/09/06/papin-rouilly-gyroptere-gyropter/ more about that pre ww1 craft i posted earlier, very interesting read

That is very, very cool.

Interestingly, the use of presurized air to control heading and counteract main rotor torque actually made it into some modern helicopters to replace the traditional tail rotor:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NOTAR

[Parallax]

All that expensive centrifuge training is going to be worth it after all...

[Flixxbeatz]

NOPEcopter.

[Parallax]

I moved the engines so that the thrust is more balanced, but that leaves me with no counter weight. Cant put fuel because the mass will shift, cant put an engine because thrust will fall out of balance, dont want to just use dead weight.... The solution is to use the cabin as a counterweight. The pilot will navigate the craft using a camera that stays stationary relative to the rotor hub, although a skilled pilot should be able to do this just by looking out og the window.

NOPEcopter.

im stealing this

Edited February 6, 2015 by Parallax

[KerBlam]

WHAAAAAT!?!

You're mad. Have some rep.