Helicopter performance, stability, and control

This text provides, for both students and practicing helicopter aerodynamicists, the information necessary to analyze the performance of an existing helicopter or to participate in the design of a new helicopter. The information includes the derivation of the theory behind the various methods of analysis, appropriate experimental data to correlate and supplement the theory, and charts that permit rapid analysis. A special attempt is made to relate helicopter aerodynamics to airplane aerodynamics for those making the transition. The first six chapters give various aspects of helicopter performance. Chapters 7, 8 and 9 cover stability and control. The last chapter presents the tradeoff considerations that the engineer must face during the preliminary design phase to ensure both good performance and good flying qualities.