Electrical Systems
The electrical systems, in most helicopters, reflect the increased use of sophisticated avionics and other electrical accessories. More and more operations in today’s flight environment are dependent on the aircraft’s…
Turbine & Accessory Gearbox
Turbine The two-stage turbine section consists of a series of turbine wheels that are used to drive the compressor section and other components attached to the accessory gearbox. Both stages…
Compressor
The compressor may consist of an axial compressor, a centrifugal compressor, or combination of the two. An axial compressor consists of two main elements: the rotor and the stator. The…
Engines
Reciprocating Engines Reciprocating engines, also called piston engines, are generally used in smaller helicopters. Most training helicopters use reciprocating engines because they are relatively simple and inexpensive to operate. Refer…
Antitorque Drive Systems
The antitorque drive system consists of an antitorque drive shaft and a antitorque transmission mounted at the end of the tail boom. The drive shaft may consist of one long…
Antitorque System
Helicopters with a single, main rotor system require a separate antitorque system. This is most often accomplished through a variable pitch, antitorque rotor or tail rotor. Pilots vary the thrust…
Freewheeling Unit
Since lift in a helicopter is provided by rotating airfoils, these airfoils must be free to rotate if the engine fails. The freewheeling unit automatically disengages the engine from the…
Swash Plate Assembly
The purpose of the swash plate is to convert stationary control inputs from the pilot into rotating inputs which can be connected to the rotor blades or control surfaces. It…
Tandem Rotor
Tandem rotor (sometimes referred to as dual rotor) helicopters have two large horizontal rotor assemblies; a twin rotor system, instead of one main assembly, and a smaller tail rotor. […
Fully Articulated Rotor System
Fully articulated rotor systems allow each blade to lead/lag (move back and forth in plane), flap (move up and down about an inboard mounted hinge) independent of the other blades,…
