BLADE CONNING AND

GROUND EFFECT

Blade Coning

In vertical takeoff two major forces i.e

centrifugal force and lift are in action.
As a result the blades assume a conical
path instead of remaining in the plane
perpendicular to the mast.

Blade Coning

Centrifugal force balances the upward

movement of rotor blades.
In a semirigid and rigid rotor system,
coning results in blade bending.
In an articulated rotor system, the blades
assume an upward angle through
movement about the flapping hinges

Blade Coning
Coning Angle

Angle between the tip path

plane and spanwise length of blade.

The coning angle will vary with combinations of

rotor thrust and Nr

Blade Coning

Factors effecting conning angle:

Rotor thrust:- If increased and Nr remains
constant, the blades cone up.
Nr is reduced:- Centrifugal force decreases
and if rotor thrust remains constant, the
blades again cone up.
Weight of the blade:- It will also have some
effect but for any given helicopter this will be
constant.

Limits of Rotor RPM

The area of the rotor disc reduces as the

coning angle increases.
Centrifugal force gives a measure of
control of the coning angle through Nr.
The Nr is kept above a laid down
minimum, the coning angle will always be
within safe operating limits.

Ground Effect

When hovering near the ground, a

phenomenon known as ground effect
takes place. This effect usually occurs less
than one rotor diameter above the surface.
Hover height close to the ground
The downwash meets the ground
Is opposed
Escapes horizontally

Ground Effect

Pressure of the air beneath the helicopter

Increased
Opposes IF
Reduces IF

So that angle of attack and hence TRT are

increased for a given pitch setting.

Ground Effect

Restricts the generation of blade tip vortices.

Due to the downward and outward airflow
making a larger portion of the blade produce lift.
When the helicopter gains altitude vertically, with
no forward airspeed, IF is no longer restricted.
The blade tip vortices increase with the
decrease in outward airflow.
Drag increases which means a higher pitch
angle.

Factors affecting Ground Effect

Height
IF is reduced greatly
Ground effect reduces
Negligible above 2/3 rotor diameter

Slope
Air flows downhill
Absence of a divergent duct
Reduced ground effect

Factors affecting Ground Effect

Nature of the Ground

Smoother the surface creates stronger ground
effect
Disruption of air flow
Tall grass, rough terrain, revetments, and
water surfaces alter the airflow pattern

Wind
Downwind reduces ground effect
Wind speed increases IF is reduced