A helicopter is provided with a tail rotor which can be braked within a predetermined range of speeds, and stopped and locked at a predetermined speed. The helicopter includes a tail portion having a vertical fin extending therefrom. The vertical fin has a rudder movably attached thereto and the tail rotor is rotatably attached to one side of the vertical fin. The braking and stopping of the tail rotor can be performed automatically or manually from the cockpit. A brake and clutch system is provided in a main portion of the helicopter and controls the tail rotor. The rudder becomes operative when the tail rotor is slowed, stopped and locked so as to provide fine control of the helicopter especially at high speeds. Thus, the helicopter can fly at higher speeds without incurring aerodynamic loads thereon which occur at high speeds. In addition to the reduced noise from the helicopter with the tail rotor stopped, the safety of the helicopter, especially when boarding and deplaning passengers during emergency situations, is increased.
Helicopter Having a Disengageable Tail Rotor
1987
14 pages
Report
No indication
English