BTEC L5 Unit 61 Advanced Turbine Rotary Wing Aircraft Mechanical and Flight Systems LO4 Assignment Questions

Principal Objective (s):

• Development of the main rotor blade and tail rotor design, the British Experimental Rotor Project (BERP)
• Twin counter-rotating main rotors
• Rotary wing aircraft, tail planes, and other external aerodynamic design featuresTilt rotor aircraft and Autogyro helicopters

Assessment & Grading Criteria:

This assignment criterion for a pass grade complies with the level of achievement required to pass. The learner has to demonstrate better skills for higher grades.

Description of unit

Introduction

Since the conception of the idea of flight, rotary wing heavier-than-air flying machines have been considered. For example, Leonardo da Vinci created the 'Helical Air Screw' at the turn of the 16th century. It is believed that although the airscrew was built, it never flew due to its very poor lift-to-weight ratio. At the turn of the 20th century, the early pioneers of flight built and attempted to fly several rotary-wing aircraft. Some failed in spectacular style; however, some achieved limited flight. The development of the rotary wing aircraft we see today started in the 1940s and then rapidly advanced in the 1950s and 60s. These early aeronautical engineers had to overcome many significant differences between the principles of flight for fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. The nature of the rotary-winged aircraft creates many diverse fluid flows, physical gyroscopic effects and dissymmetry of lift and torque reactions, to name a few of the aerodynamic differences.

This unit introduces students to the atmosphere in which rotary wing aircraft operate, the scientific principles that underpin flight theory, and how the aerodynamic forces are generated throughout all phases and transitions of rotary wing flight. It also includes the specific design features that are essential to maintain stability and directional control.

On successful completion of this unit students will be able to examine the properties of the atmosphere relating to rotary wing flight and aerodynamic principles and apply them to aircraft flight, examine the generation, nature and effects of aerodynamic forces during flight, and examine the key design features that control and maintain airflows around a rotary wing aircraft. The student will also be able to investigate the nature and methods used to stabilise and control rotary aircraft.

LO4 Investigate the nature of different rotary-winged aircraft design variations and features

Outcome Content:

Design features:

• Development of the main rotor blade and tail rotor design, including the British Experimental Rotor Project (BERP).
• Examine the use and benefits of twin counter-rotating main rotors
• Rotary wing aircraft, tail planes, and other external aerodynamic design features. 
• Other types of rotary wing aircraft: Tilt rotor aircraft and Autogyro helicopters

Scenario

You have applied for the job of Planning Officer at Biman Bangladesh Airlines (BD) Ltd., whose responsibilities also to planning and scheduling rotary wing aircraft for flight. Engineering management wants to verify your knowledge about aerodynamic design features and the development of main rotor, tail rotor and BERP rotor blade and different types of helicopters, including auto-gyro, tilt rotor, twin rotor, etc. You are asked to make a report on the following tasks and submit the same to the project manager by the date specified on the tasks.

Submission Format

• Complete all the tasks and report in simple English.
•  Answers should be in their own words.
• While using any diagram, label appropriately
• Give a reference to the sources of information at the bottom of the page. Quoting from anywhere without proper referencing will be counted as plagiarism
• Add a table of contents as applicable

Tasks

Discuss the design evolution and key advancements in the main rotor blade, and tail rotor blade and BERP development for rotary wing aircraft. Evaluate the role and optimisation of the tail plane in providing directional stability and control for rotary wing aircraft. Compare the unique flight characteristics and operational envelopes of tilt-rotor and autogyro aircraft. Critically analyse the aerodynamic principles and performance implications of the BERP main rotor blade design. Explore the aerodynamic challenges and innovative control solutions employed in counter-rotating twin-rotor helicopter configurations.