Question

Could this design of 'helicopter' work?

Answer 1

Remove the tail rotor and replace it with a very large, rigid 'flap' on the bottom to use air resistance to counteract the torque generated by the main rotors? How large would it have to be?

Answer 2

How much less efficient would it be?

Answer 3

By the way, we're dealing with model-sized machines here.

Answer 4

first of all we need to calculate the upthrust generated by the wing ..there is no doubt that it can't fly if provided up thrust is more than the thrust required to lift it..it can fly and a very basic example of this is a vertical axis windmill but the problem is HOW you will be changing the direction of flight in your model...the tail rotor fans are applied at the end to provide directional change because the fan attached at the tail creates horizontal thrust leading to the change in direction of motion of fling object or helicopter. So your model is only applicable where we need a vertical motion.

Answer 5

Yes, that was the idea- the only problem is that some of the motor's energy will be converted into the useless spinning of the body, and the flap was there to stop that, but I'm not sure to what extent it would be successful.

Answer 6

you can use bearing to stop spinning problem ...it can be fixed between body and wings

Answer 7

But surely the motor (on the body) will still be rigidly attached to the wings?

Answer 8

yes...rigidity of motor depends upon the design....

Answer 9

from the inside you need to make structure more compact and motor should be tightly held

Answer 10

That wouldn't stop the wings pushing the body rather than the other way around, surely?