Airbus Conquers Physics With a Funky Super-Fast Helicopter

a reply to: JIMC5499

Hi,

The main limiting factor on helicopter airspeed is actually retreating blade stall due to the retreating blade reaching it's critical angle of attack and 'stalling' when on that side of the disc. This causes major dissymmetry of lift and the helicopter pitches up, slowing the airspeed and almost naturally recovering itself.

Hypothetically in a situation where there are wings providing lift and pusher props providing thrust the main rotor's collective pitch could be reduced to lessen the effect of retreating blade stall.

Cheers
Robbie