Conceptual Design of a Low-Cost Training Helicopter Objective of Thesis • To design a concept helicopter that is low in cost and suitable for training Research Approach • Use a set of performance requirements to conduct parametric analysis and determine possible design configurations Results • A concept helicopter was developed, and its performance and cost are deemed to be comparable to existing market favourites Benefits • Incentivise labour market to increase pool of private-license pilots • Reduce operating cost of companies that conduct in-house pilot training Future Work • Update weight estimation equations used in the parametric analysis • Assess performance and cost of British Experimental Rotor Program (BERP) rotor blade • Assess performance and cost of diesel piston engines Author: Liu Jianlin Thesis advisor: Jack A. Stockford Components Parameter Specifications Main rotor Radius 4.4 m Tip speed 213 m/s Solidity 0.036 Chord 0.25 m Number of rotor blades 2 Airfoil NACA 0015 Direction of rotation Anti-clockwise (view from above) Tail rotor Radius 0.792 m Tip speed 213 m/s Solidity 0.0996 Chord 0.124 m Number of rotor blades 2 Airfoil NACA 0015 Direction of rotation Bottom blade advancing Engine Type Reciprocating (Lycoming O-360) Power at sea level 134.2 kW Fuselage Length 6.36 m Width 1.2 m Landing gear Type Fixed skids 8.8 1.6 0.5 1.2 2.1 6.8 3.1 8.9 2.0 All dimensions in m Transparent ‘chin’ window to aid landing High rotor and fairing Partially exposed engine Innovative T-bar flight controls used by Robinson helicopters Innovative BERP rotor blade 0.0000 0.0500 0.1000 0.1500 0.2000 0.2500 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 х х х х w = 25 kg/m 2 w = 20 kg/m 2 w = 15 kg/m 2 w = 10 kg/m 2 kg Fuel weight ratio, R F Gross weight 850 0.139 Parametric analysis General layout of concept helicopter Estimated acquisition cost: $283,928