Helicopter longitudinal trim calculatorDescriptionThis calculator estimates a longitudinal trim condition for a hovering helicopter. Outputs include the pitch angle, longitudinal main rotor flapping and thrust. EquationsThe following equations are used to estimate the output values. These equations come from setting the net pitch moment (M), vertical force (Z), and longitudinal force (X) to zero. Many symbols used below are defined in Helicopter Abbreviations and Symbols. In addition, we use the following symbols here.
Small angle approximations are used when solving for outputs. For example, \( \sin ( \gamma - \beta ) \approx \gamma - \beta \) and \( \cos ( \gamma - \beta ) \approx 1 \). The flap angle \( \beta \) is considered positive here when the front of the rotor is flapped up. \[ M=0 \Rightarrow -T \sin (\gamma - \beta )M_z + T\cos (\gamma - \beta ) M_x + k\beta = 0 \] \[ X=0 \Rightarrow T\sin (\gamma - \beta ) - GW\sin \theta = 0 \] \[ Z=0 \Rightarrow T\cos (\gamma - \beta ) - GW\cos \theta \] |