AERSP 407 - VSTOL Aerodynamics
Fall Semester 2013
The goal of this course is to introduce and study key concepts related to aerodynamic loads, vehicle
performance, basic rotor dynamics, and control of helicopters and tilt-rotor aircraft
Objectives: Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
1. Analyze rotor hover performance using momentum and blade-element-momentum theory
2. Demonstrate knowledge of rotor performance in forward flight
3. Verify through computation the optimum twist and planform design for a hovering rotor
4. Demonstrate understanding of helicopter performance in hover, vertical flight, and forward flight
5. Demonstrate an understanding of helicopter rotor control and trim
6. Demonstrate an understanding of the key aspects of helicopter conceptual design
Professor:
Dr. Ed Smith, Professor of Aerospace Engineering
231D Hammond
863-0966, ecs5@psu.edu
Office
Hours:
Tuesday, Thursday 9:30-11:00 AM
Others by appointment or "walk in"
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, Thursday 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM
217 Hammond
Texts:
Principles of Helicopter Aerodynamics, J.G. Leishman
(required*)
Aerodynamics of the Helicopter, A. Gessow and G.C. Meyers
Aerodynamics of V/STOL Flight, B.W. McCormick, Jr.
Helicopter Theory, W. Johnson
Helicopter Performance, Stability, and Control , R.W. Prouty
Rotary-Wing Aerodynamics, W.Z. Stepniewski and C.N. Keys
The Foundations of Helicopter Flight, S. Newman
* On reserve in the engineering library
(reference*)
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Content:
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
Introduction to the Helicopter
Hover, Vertical Flight, and Autorotation
Forward Flight Aerodynamics
Blade Motion and Rotor Control
Helicopter Performance
Conceptual Design
Introduction to Rotor Blade Stall, Unsteady Aerodynamics, Airfoils and Wakes
Grading:
Homework and Brief Computer Assignment
Mid-Term Exam
Final Exam
Research Term Project
Get involved with Penn State American Helicopter Society activities!
50%
20%
30%
Extra Credit
Notes:
Attendance is essential!
Ask questions!
Take advantage of office hours
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. If
you have a disability-related need for reasonable academic adjustments in this course, contact
the Office for Disability Services (ODS) at 814-863-1807 (V/TTY). For further information
regarding ODS, please visit the Office for Disability Services Web site
at
http://equity.psu.edu/ods/.
At other Penn State locations, services are provided through the campus Disability Contact
Liaisons. A list of the Disability Contact Liaisons (DCL) at other Penn State locations can be
found at the following link: http://equity.psu.edu/ods/dcl.
In order to receive consideration for course accommodations, you must contact ODS and provide
documentation (see the documentation guidelines at
http://equity.psu.edu/ods/guidelines/documentation-guidelines). If the documentation supports
the need for academic adjustments, ODS will provide a letter identifying appropriate academic
adjustments. Please share this letter and discuss the adjustments with your instructor as early in
the course as possible. You must contact ODS and request academic adjustment letters at the
beginning of each semester.