Modelling Helicopter Blade Sailing: Model Validation Using Experimental Data

Blade sailing is an aeroelastic phenomenon that can occur during the engage and disengage phases of shipboard helicopter operation. Over the past several years, a number of simulation tools, including structural, dynamic and aerodynamic models, have been developed at Carleton University and the National Research Council of Canada towards a comprehensive study of the blade sailing phenomenon. In order to validate the applicability of the tools in the complexity of the blade sailing environment, an experimental test programme has been developed. This programme involves recording the time history of blade deflection data for a Froude scaled two-bladed rotor during representative rotor engage and disengage. In this paper, a description of the simulation tools that have been developed is briefly given. The details of the experiment, including design, execution, challenges and results are the main focus. The results of the experiment, while affirming the complexity of the factors affecting the deflection of the blade, provide an extensive library of data for the future simulation validation.