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Aviation News Item: 01027
27th Aug 2009
Sikorsky Aircraft Starts Active Rotor System Testing
Source: fly-corporate.com
 As part of an effort to improve helicopter performance, Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. has begun whirl testing a demonstration rotor system with active flaps. The effort is jointly funded by Sikorsky and the Aviation Applied Technology Directorate (AATD).
"We have reached full speed of 450 rpm and commenced testing flap integrity and functionality," said Jim Kagdis, programme manager for Sikorsky Advanced Programs. "Now we will investigate rotor reconfiguration capabilities to demonstrate the potential to reduce rotor vibration and noise, and increase blade loading, which enables higher maneuverability and speed."
Testing is expected to continue through the month of August. Wind tunnel testing at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration is planned in 2010.
Development partners on the project are United Technologies Research Center (UTRC) for the blades and Hamilton Sundstrand Claverham for the flap actuators.
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