Office No: 102

This course will introduce fundamentals of helicopter flight dynamics including aspects of

modeling, simulation, stability and control of helicopters. Students will be introduced to general

equations of motion of a helicopter, simplified trim equations, stability and control derivatives,

static and dynamic stability of helicopters. Particular emphasize will be put on the analysis of the

main rotor dynamics and the generation of main rotor forces and moments. Rotor flapping

dynamics and dynamic inflow concepts will be introduced. Sufficient tools will be provided to

analyze handling quality aspects of helicopters and the design of flight control systems for

helicopters. Homework problems will involve the case-studies of specific helicopters and will

familiarize students with real-life engineering problems.

At the end of this course you should have a fundamental understanding of the dynamics of rotary

wing aircraft and should be able to write basic simulation models and analyze its dynamic

behavior and provide flight controller solutions for desired handling quality performance.

An aircraft with a rotor as its lifting device has very unique dynamic characteristics and requires

special attention for analysis. Tools introduced, through courses concentrating on non-rotary

wing systems (conventional fixed wing aircraft, satellites, rockets, etc.) are not sufficient to

understand the complex dynamics of a rotorcraft. However rotary wing aircraft -in particular

helicopters- are the subject of major research in aerospace engineering. Special consideration is

needed to provide the necessary tools to understand the dynamics of a rotor system or a full-size

helicopter. The analysis will provide a unique inside on the general understanding of the

dynamics of rotors and rotary wing aircraft; in particular helicopters. Although the course will

focus on a classic helicopter configuration, it will provide the necessary tools to analyze any

rotorcraft system, including advanced configurations like a tilt- rotor, auto-gyro, etc. Therefore

the course will cover a special area in aerospace engineering addressing specialized issues

related to rotary wing aircraft and should be of interest to any aerospace engineering student.

1. Helicopter Theory, W. Johnson, Dover Publications, 1994.

2. Helicopter Flight Dynamics: The Theory and Application of Flying Qualities and

Simulation Modeling, G.D. Padfield, AIAA Education Series, 1996.

3. Principles of Helicopter Aerodynamics, G. Leishman, Cambridge University Press, 2002

4. Helicopter Performance. Stability and Control, R. W. Prouty, Krieger Pub. Co., 2002.

5. Basic Helicopter Aerodynamics, J.Seddon, BSP Professional Books,1991

1. Introduction, basic terminology

2. General Equations of Motion

3. Rotor dynamics

4. Rotor wake and inflow dynamics

5. Rotor forces and moments

6. Simplified trim equations

7. Linearized equations of motion

8. Stability and control derivatives

9. Static stability characteristics

10. Longitudinal dynamics characteristics

11. Lateral/yaw dynamics characteristics

12. Handling qualities

13. Flight control system design

Midterms 40%

Project/HW 30%

Final 30%

This course does not have a pre-requisite, however a course in System Dynamics, such as AEE

383 is strongly recommended, AEE 501 Advanced Mathematics for Engineers and AE 372

Flight Mechanics are recommended prior to taking this course, but they are not mandatory. AEE

446 Introduction to Helicopter Aerodynamics and Helicopter Design is a fundamental class in

the introduction of helicopters and specifically the understanding of rotary wing aerodynamics.

Therefore, it is strongly recommended that this class is taken previously or is being taken in

parallel. AE 584 will complement the course AEE 446 and would serve as a perfect extension

and an advanced class in rotary wing analysis in graduate level.