Experimental Study of Rotor Performance in Deep Ground Effect with Application to a Human-Powered Helicopter

A study of ground effect performance is presented with specific applications to Gamera, a human powered helicopter. This parametric study quantifies ground effect for four different rotors: a baseline (no twist/no taper), negative twist/no taper, positive twist/no taper, and taper/no twist. Data for these four rotors are presented in power polars and as global performance improvements. A brief study is made of how to apply these measurements to predictions of performance in ground effect. Comparisons between the individual rotors are then used to inform design decisions for helicopters being optimized for ground effect, specifically Gamera. Performance measurements from a Gamera rotor in deep ground effect are presented.