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Longitudinal stability of gyroplanes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 July 2016

S. S. Houston
S. S. Houston*
Affiliation:
University of Glasgow Scotland, UK
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Abstract

The class of aircraft known as gyroplanes (or autogyros) helped to pave the way for the development of the helicopter. However, they have found no application in contemporary commercial or military aviation. It is in recreational or sport flying that the gyroplane has proved popular. Most if not all designs are however homebuilts, and as a consequence little analysis of any significance has been conducted on the flight mechanics of these aircraft. This Paper presents an analysis of the longitudinal stability of gyroplanes. Simple consideration of the basic forces and moments that might influence stability, in the context of elementary rotor behaviour, is used to assess the fundamental nature of gyroplane longitudinal stability. This is quantified by the application of a sophisticated generic rotorcraft mathematical model to the gyroplane problem. It is concluded that the basic configuration can be longitudinally stable with appropriate design, and that the rotorspeed degree of freedom must also be included when modelling the aircraft.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 100 , Issue 991 , January 1996 , pp. 1 - 6
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 1996 

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