rotorworks
New member
- Jun 6, 2004
- 14
Im curious as to others opinion on this matter. Mainly should a VTOL aircraft have a VTOL emergency landing configuration?
To my knowledge Bell/Augusta have applied to have the Tilt Rotor classified as a powered lift vehile, as opposed to a helicopter. This means they dont have to meet a the autorotational requirements of a helo.
I have been told that the rate of decsent of the osprey in autorotation is around 4600ft/min, and while Im sure that the cilvilian Tilt Rotor would be a little lower, I still feel this to be very high. Combining this with a small wing, which wont give you alot of glide, to my mind seems a recipie for trouble when it all goes pearshaped.
While engine reliabitly is very good these days, there are still situations which can result a total loss of engine power.
A quick search on the net reveals a multitude of VTOL concepts and works in progress, yet almost universally say that they are safe because they have a BRS (balistic recovery system). However even a quick glance at the operation of the only mass produced VTOL vehicles operating today, helicopters, reveals that a BRS is pretty impractical for this type of environment.
My personal feeling is that if it takes off vertically, it should be able to land vertically, including engine out.
Interested to hear others thoughts.
To my knowledge Bell/Augusta have applied to have the Tilt Rotor classified as a powered lift vehile, as opposed to a helicopter. This means they dont have to meet a the autorotational requirements of a helo.
I have been told that the rate of decsent of the osprey in autorotation is around 4600ft/min, and while Im sure that the cilvilian Tilt Rotor would be a little lower, I still feel this to be very high. Combining this with a small wing, which wont give you alot of glide, to my mind seems a recipie for trouble when it all goes pearshaped.
While engine reliabitly is very good these days, there are still situations which can result a total loss of engine power.
A quick search on the net reveals a multitude of VTOL concepts and works in progress, yet almost universally say that they are safe because they have a BRS (balistic recovery system). However even a quick glance at the operation of the only mass produced VTOL vehicles operating today, helicopters, reveals that a BRS is pretty impractical for this type of environment.
My personal feeling is that if it takes off vertically, it should be able to land vertically, including engine out.
Interested to hear others thoughts.