AERSP 504 - VSTOL Aerodynamics
Fall Semester 2013
Goals:
To introduce and study basic and advanced concepts related to aerodynamic loads,
vehicle performance, basic rotor dynamics, and control of helicopters and tilt-rotor
aircraft (i.e. VTOL aircraft).
Professor:
Dr. Ed Smith, Professor of Aerospace Engineering
233D 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 Computer Projects
Mid-Term Exam
Final Exam
Research Term Project
25%
20%
30%
25%
* Project will involve submission of an approved project proposal, preparation and
presentation of a 20 minute oral seminar to be delivered to the AERSP 407/504 class, and
preparation and submission of a written report. Topic should be aligned with course
content and is to be selected by the student.
Notes:
Attendance is essential!
Ask questions
Get involved with Penn State American Helicopter Society activities!
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.