Rotor Stability Prediction Correlation With Model And Full Scale Tests

An aeroelastic rotor stability analysis that provides a very complete description of the dynamics and aerodynamics of fully coupled rotor/airframe/control systems, representative of main or tail configurations is discussed. The analysis, which gives system eigenvalues and eigenvectors, can be used to study the stability of rotors in conditions of pure axial flow or for forward flight studies at advance ratios up to about 0.5. Various examples of correlation with scale model and full scale tests are given and the capability of the analysis to predict certain unstable phenomena is demonstrated through correlation with test occurrences. The importance of accurately defining the physical properties of the systems being analyzed is noted and the need for continued development and comprehensive correlation studies is cited.