REVIEW 6

1. The axis of rotation passes through the ROTOR HEAD and is always at (right
angles/parallel) to the plane of rotation.
2. The disc area is the area contained with the TIP PATH PLANE and in flight, the area (is/is
not) constant because it is affected by the CONING angle.
3. Disc loading means the GROSS WIEGHT of the helicopter divided by the DISC AREA.
4. Flapping means the movement of blades in the (vertical/horizontal) sense relative to the
plane of rotation/tip path plane).
5. Lead-lagging means movement of the blade (forward-aft/up-down) in (the plane of
rotation/line with the shaft axis).
6. The difference between a fully-articulated rotor and a semi-rigid rotor is that the latter
(does/does not) allow for (feathering/lead lagging) through hinges.
7. The semi-rigid rotor system is common with (two/more than two) bladed rotors and (lead
lagging/flapping) is generally taken up within the blades or in the blade attachment components.
8. The relative (or resulting) airflow that influences the rotor blade in forward flight is a
combination of airflows due to ROTATION, INDUCED FLOW and AIRCRAFT SPEED.
9. Airflow due to rotation (Vr) is (always/ sometimes) in the (tip path plane/plane of
rotation).
10. Induced flow means the airflow forced down by rotor action (all of which/most of which)
passes through the rotor.
11. When the induced flow increases, the inflow angle (increases/decreases) and for a given
blade angle and rotor rpm, the angle of attack will (increase/decrease).
12. Rotor thrust is a (resultant/component) of the total reaction which (can/cannot) be
perpendicular to the relative airflow.
13. Total rotor thrust always acts at (right angles to/in line with) the (shaft axis/axis of
rotation).
14. The force that overcomes the gross weight of the helicopter is TOTAL ROTOR THRUST
or a component of that force.
15. Rotor drag is a force which acts in the (plane of rotation/relative airflow) and it acts to
(increase/decrease) rotor rpm.
16. Assuming constant rotor rpm, when the inflow angle decreases and collective is lowered
proportionally, the total rotor thrust/rotor drag ratio (improves/ worsens) so that (more/less)
power is required to maintain rotor rpm.
17. A rotor operates at its most efficient when the total rotor thrust/rotor drag ratio is at
its (best/worst) and the collective lever is as (high/low) as practically possible.
18. Compared to a cool dry day, on a hot and humid day the blade s angle of attack needs to be
(greater/smaller/the same) and the total rotor thrust/rotor drag ratio is (better/worse).
19. With a constant rotor rpm, raising of collective will (increase/decrease) the coning angle,
rotor drag will (increase/decrease) and the requirement for POWER goes up.
20. The advantage of the high inertia rotor over the low inertia rotor is that rotor rpm tends
to fluctuate (more/less) and the flare is (easier/more difficult) to execute but recovery from
low rotor rpm is achieved (quicker/less quickly).

REVIEW 7

21. A high aspect ratio rotor blade has a (larger/smaller) span and a (larger/smaller) chord
than a low aspect ratio blade.
22. Blade twisting forces can be kept to a minimum by using the SYMMETRICAL airfoil shape
and ensuring that the blade s center of gravity, center of pressure and aerodynamic center are
(on/away from) the blade s FEATHERING axis.
23. Many rotor blades have (wash-in/wash-out) which means that blade angles
(increase/decrease) from root to tip.
24. The main purpose of helicopter blade (wash-in/wash-out) is to control the amount of
(lift/drag) production from root to tip.
25. The worst combination of blade length and rotor rpm in producing tip speed sonic problems
is the (long/short) blade rotating at (high/low) rpm.
26. Using the sweep-back design near the blade tip permits (lower/higher) tip speed and
HIGHER forward speed.

REVIEW 8

27. When the disc loading is increased, total rotor thrust must be (increased/decreased) and
since this involves (increase/decrease) in angle of attack it follows that there will be a
(deterioration/improvement) in the total rotor thrust/rotor drag ratio.
28. When the total rotor thrust/rotor drag ratio gets worse, there is a requirement for MORE
power.
29. When the gross weight of a helicopter decreases there is a requirement for (larger/
smaller) pitch angles which produce (larger/smaller) inflow angles and power can be
(increased/decreased).
30. When a helicopter descends into ground effect, the induced flow (increases/decreases)
which results in an INCREASE in angle of attack if collective is not raised or lowered. The
helicopter will then (maintain height/climb/descend).
31. Compared to hovering out of ground effect, when hovering in ground effect the
requirement for total rotor thrust is (more/ the same/less), blade angles are (larger/ the
same/smaller) and power required is (more/ the same/less).
32. When translational lift becomes effective on initial climb-out, (angles of attack/blade
angles) increase and if collective is neither lowered or raised the rate of climb will initially
(increase/decrease).

REVIEW 9

33. The rotor thrust required from an anti-torque rotor is (directly/inversely) proportional to
power in use.
34. A helicopter fitted with the main rotor rotating clockwise viewed from above tends to
YAW to the (right/left) when power is applied and to counteract the yaw the tail rotor blade
angles must be (increased/decreased) which is achieved by applying sufficient (left/right) pedal.
35. Viewed from behind, tail rotor thrust of a helicopter with a counter clockwise rotating
main rotor acts to the (left/right) and it does so by drawing air from the (left/right) and
accelerating it to the (left/right).
36. Tail rotor rpm is controlled by the (main rotor/foot pedals).
37. When lowering collective, the (increased/ decreased) demand for anti-torque requires
(less/more) left pedal.
38. As you commence a left-hand hover turn you do not raise or lower the collective lever. As
the turn progresses, your height will (increase/ decrease) because there is a (increased/
decreased) requirement for anti-torque.
39. When you hover out of ground effect you require a certain amount of LEFT pedal to
maintain heading. If you then descend into ground effect without changing pedal position, the
helicopter will yaw (right/left) as you maintain your new height.
40. Factors that cause loss of tail rotor effectiveness are aggravated when the wind is
(weak/strong), the helicopter s gross weight is (high/low) and the airspeed is (low/high).
41. A method to counteract translating tendency (tail rotor drift) automatically is a
(tilted/offset) mast to the (left/right).
42. A tail rotor placed on a pylon assists in (increasing/decreasing) the degree of (tail rotor
drift/rolling tendency).
43. Given the same size and similar rpm as an exposed tail rotor, the shrouded (Fenestron) tail
rotor is (more/less) effective, is (easier/more difficult) to install and (does/does not) need
freedom to flap.
44. When the tail rotor drive shaft breaks while in cruise flight, the helicopter will YAW to
the (left/right) and as speed is reduced it is necessary to (increase/ decrease) power to maintain
directional control.
REVIEW 10

45. When the pitch horn is attached to the trailing edge of the blade, raising of collective will
cause the swash plate to (rise/fall) so that the blade angle (increases/decreases).
46. Using collective (will/will not) affect the amount of total rotor thrust and it (will/will not)
change the orientation of total rotor thrust.
47. Moving the cyclic control (will/will not) raise or lower the swash plate but it will TILT the
swash plate so that (all blades together/ individual blades) obtain changes to their (blade
angle/angle of attack).
48. Cyclic and collective controls activate the STATIONARY plate (or star) of the swashplate
and control inputs are transferred to the blades via the ROTATING plate (or star).
49. The function of a correlator unit is to (increase/decrease) engine power as collective is
raised. As altitude is gained the correlator unit becomes (more/less) effective.
50. When a blade flaps up, its center of gravity moves (in towards/out from) the axis of
rotation and as the blade (increases/decreases) its speed it will move (forward/rearward) on its
lead-lag hinge. This is known as CORRIOLIS effect.
51. Periodic drag changes occur in forward flight when (blade angles/angles of attack) change
because of blade flapping.