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Name: Michael
Status: Student
Age: 16
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: N/A
Question:
In reference to helicopters and helicopter propulsion . . . could there be any serious benefits to using a propeller that was of increased surface area, so that it resembled almost a complete circle with slots missing to allow lift, so it was more like 10 or 12 blades rather than the standard 2 or 4??


Replies:
Michael -

Neat idea, a little late. Leonardo di Vinci drew pictures of this a few hundred years ago. Engineers have not chosen to pursue this design. Likely a matter of the parasitic drag created by the larger spinning surface.

Perhaps it is time for someone (you?) to revive the idea and see what happens. Consider building a model from Leonardo's drawings.

You might find "Modern Airmanship" by van Sickle to be a good source of information on aerodynamic drag.

Larry Krengel


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