GENERAL SIR JOHN KOTELAWALA DEFENCE UNIVERSITY

Faculty of Engineering
Department of Aeronautical Engineering

BSc Engineering Degree

Semester 6 Examination – Mock Test
(Intake 35– AE)

AE 3223 – ROTORCRAFT AEROMECHANICS

Time allowed: 3 hours August, 2021

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES

Answer ALL questions.

This is a closed book examination

This examination accounts for 80% of the module assessment. A total maximum marks
obtainable is 100. The marks assigned for each question and parts thereof are indicated in
square brackets

If you have any doubt as to the interpretation of the wordings of a question, make your own
decision, but clearly state it on the script

Assume reasonable values for any data not given in or provided with the question paper, clearly
make such assumptions made in the script

All examinations are conducted under the rules and regulations of the KDU

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Question 1

(a) Briefly describe two different anti-torque mechanisms other than the traditional tail-
rotor.
[4]
(b) With usual notation derive an expression for induced velocity during a forward flight
of a rotorcraft.
[4]
Question 2

(a) Explain requirement of a drag hinge in a main rotor system.

[5]

(b) In a helicopter main rotor system the pitch-horn is attached to the tailing edge of the
rotor blades. With aid of clear sketches, illustrate how the pitch angle of blades could
be increased. [5]

Question 3

(a) With usual notations for a rotorcraft, derive an expression for minimum power speed
during forward flight. You may assume profile drag is constant and use high speed
approximation for induced velocity estimation.
[4]

(b) Briefly describe the term “Main Gear – box torque limitation”.
[4]

(c) With usual notations obtain an expression for mean lift coefficient of the main rotor.
[6]

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