Recent rotorcraft aeroelastic testing in the Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel

Wind-tunnel testing of a properly scaled aeroelastic model helicopter rotor is considered a necessary phase in the design and development of new rotor systems. For this reason, extensive testing of aeroelastically scaled model rotors is done in the Transonic Dynamics Tunnel (TDT) located at the Langley Research Center. A unique capability of this facility, which enables proper dynamic scaling, is the use of diflourodichloromethane, or Refrigerant-12 (R-12) as a test medium. The paper presents a description of the TDT and a discussion of the benefits of using R-12 as a test medium. A description of the system used to conduct model tests is provided and examples of recent rotor tests are cited to illustrate the types of aeroelastic model rotor tests conducted in the TDT.

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