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Flow visualisation of the helicopter brown-out phenomenon

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 February 2016

N. D. Nathan  and
R. B. Green
N. D. Nathan
Affiliation:
Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
R. B. Green
Affiliation:
richardg@aero.gla.ac.uk
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Abstract

Quantitative and qualitative results of a series of experiments conducted on a rotor in ground effect at low forward speeds are presented. The velocity over a wide area of the ground effect wake was measured using particle image velocimetry, and the evolution of the flow is described as the forward speed increases. The formation of a dust cloud leading to so-called helicopter brown-out was simulated through a series of flow visualisation experiments. The technique involved sprinkling a fine dust on the ground below and ahead of the rotor. Larger dust clouds were observed at lower forward speed, and the dust cloud penetrated into the areas of the flow including those where vorticity levels were of low magnitude and occasional velocity fluctuations from the mean were large.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 113 , Issue 1145 , July 2009 , pp. 467 - 478
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 2009 

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