RESULTS FROM AN XV-15 ROTOR TEST IN THE NATIONAL FULL-SCALE AERODYNAMICS COMPLEX

A full-scale, single XV-15 rotor was tested in the National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex (NFAC) 80-by 120-Foot Wind Tunnel at NASA Ames Research Center. Performance and loads measurements were obtained for hover and helicopter-mode forward flight. The hover performance agrees reasonably well with previously measured XV-15 isolated rotor performance. Performance and loads were measured for tunnel speeds from 60 to 80 knots, and for rotor tip-path-plane angles from -15 deg to +15 deg. Comparisons are made with previous wind tunnel and flight test data for the full-scale XV-15. Time histories of blade bending moments show good correlation between wind tunnel and flight test.