Helicopter local blade circulation calculations for a model rotor in forward flight using laser velocimeter measurements

Abstract

A program is described whose purpose was to develop the measurement and data processing techniques necessary to accurately compute the local rotor blade circulation at any azimuth and radius in a wind tunnel environment at representative forward speeds. With these techniques, further tests using a complex rotor system with local surface pressure measurements should help to determine the accuracy of the technique for general applications to rotor blade span-load measurement programs in wind tunnel forward flight conditions. Preliminary calculations are reported.