Few, D. D. | Search NASA

NASA NTRS1977

Tilt-proprotor perspective

The general tilt-proprotor concept is discussed, and a more detailed look at the XV-15 aircraft is taken. The special features of the two-engine system, engine control system, and flight control system are mentioned. The main objectives of the XV-15 program are to (1) verify rotor/pylon/wing/dynamic stability and aircraft performance over a representative operational envelope, (2) assess the handling qualities and establish a safe operating envelope, and (3) investigate gust sensitivity, effects of downwash, and hover operation. With regard to rotor/pylon stability, one challenge is to be able to predict a parameter's value and then build hardware to match. The analytical program has gained some respect through aeroelastic and full-scale XV-3 demonstrations. Special concern centers around the thrust and power management system when flying at high speed when very small changes in rotor collective pitch represent large changes in thrust and power. Demonstration of the system awaits wind-tunnel and flight testing.

Few, D. D.↗

NASA NTRS1977

XV-15 tilt rotor test - Progress report

In a continuing effort to expand the versatility of their aircraft, VTOL designers have for many years tried to combine the desirable features of various concepts into a single aircraft. This is a formidable task and most efforts have met with limited success. This paper explores the need for an aircraft combining the efficient VTOL capability of a helicopter with the efficient high speed characteristics of a fixed wing turboprop. The ability of the tilt rotor concept to fill this requirement and examples as to its potential usefulness in both military and civil missions is discussed. The history of the concept and the status of the current Army/NASA/Bell XV-15 program and its role in proving the viability of the concept are reviewed.

Brown, J. H., Jr.↗