AERSP 506 – Helicopter Dynamics

(Spring Semester 2001, TR 4:15-5:30 PM, 221 Hammond)

Office Hours: TBA

 

Course Instructor:      Dr. Farhan Gandhi                                                                        

                                    231C Hammond Building                                                                      

                                    Phone: 865-1164

                                    e-mail: fgandhi@psu.edu

 

Course Text:  There is no prescribed text.  Class notes will be complete and comprehensive,

                        and additional handouts will be provided through the course of the semester.  The

                        book, Helicopter Theory by Wayne Johnson is suggested as a reference.

 

Topics:

 

1.    Introduction to Hover and Forward Flight, Vehicle Trim

 

2.    Rotor Flap Dynamics

 

3.    Coupled Flap-Lag-Torsion Dynamics

 

4.    Unsteady Aerodynamics – possibly

 

5.    Aeroelastic Stability in Hover

 

6.    Aeromechanical Instabilities (Ground and Air Resonance)

 

7.    Aeroelastic Stability in Forward Flight

 

8.    Analysis of Hub Vibration and Vibration-Reduction Concepts

 

9.    Dynamic Stall -- possibly

 

 

Grading Scheme

 

Two exams (mid-term and final)            = 40%                                     

Homeworks & Projects                        = 60%