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Unread 23-06-2002, 22:59
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Re: Helicopter propulsion

Posted by Dave Lavery at 1/19/2001 12:47 PM EST


Engineer on team #116, Epsilon Delta, from Herndon High School and NASA Headquarters.


In Reply to: Re: Helicopter propulsion
Posted by Justin Stiltner on 1/17/2001 12:31 AM EST:



I hate to disagree with all those who are saying "no way" regarding this topic, but if John and his team can figure out a way to do it, then they should be encouraged to go for it! If nothing else, it would be a wonderful demonstration of the power of divergent thinking!

To show that this idea is not completely outside the realm of possibilities, think back to the 1997 FIRST competition (those that have been participating that long). That year, a team of undergrads from MIT built a hovercraft from the kit of parts. They set out to build a machine that would not necessarily do well in the competition, but would demonstrate what was possible with the robot kits. Their hovercraft was constructed entirely of legal parts, successfully passed inspection, and was used in the competition as a "placebo" player during matches (that year you had to have three robots competing at a time). There were even occasional matches that it (entirely by accident) won!

Admittedly, a ground-effect vehicle is a long way from free flight, but it took a pretty significant step in that direction.

As for materials selections, early helicopters used simple aluminum blades. So, space-age composites are not necessarily a requirement. Folding blades may not be the only solution (although the navy and DARPA have done a lot of work in this area, including entire aircraft that fold up inside artillery shells and are fired at battle locations). Other possibilities include ideas like vertical ducted fans (e.g. the "Aerocar" and early experimental single-seat craft from the '50s and '60s), which could address both the performance and safety concerns.

Am I sure that this could work? No, not without sitting down with an aerodynamicist and running through some of the numbers. You almost certainly could not make a machine with enough performance to allow you to manipulate a goal full of balls and/or a loaded stretcher. But it may be possible to build one that could just get from one side of the field to the other and get ten points for reaching the end zone. That alone would be very impressive. And at this point in time, I don't think anyone can say definitively that it would not be possible (whether or not it is sensible is an entirely different question).

Just count me as one of those people who see the phrase "it can't be done" as a challenge...

- dave lavery
Team 116


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