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Old 06-02-2007, 12:11 PM
Brian Carlton Brian Carlton is offline
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: Blue Point, NY
Posts: 25,390
Quote:
Originally Posted by t walgamuth View Post
yeah, now that i understand the operaiton (vaguely) of the rotor hub and understand what happens if that fails on a copter, i tend to stick with fixed wing craft which (theoretically any way) can glide down if a problem occurrs.

i actually feel safest in a small plane with one or two engines in the hands of an experienced pilot.

i don't get airsick or seasick.

tom w
Ever spin a bicycle wheel as a kid while holding onto a shaft that sticks out of the hub?

You have a very difficult time moving the shaft 90 degrees due to the gyroscopic force from the wheel.

Now, multiply the force by 1,000,000 and you'll see what a helicopter main rotor shaft does to it's bearings every time the pilot does some of those 90 degree maneuvers.
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