Invented in 1970 by Dr. Arthur Marshall, the invention of the helicopter is one of the most creative and important inventions to have occurred. One of the greatest contributions to science was made with this creation. As a research aircraft, the invention can be used for aerial research and observation. It also makes it easier for the military to practice attacks on the enemy.
Although the helicopter is an incredible creation, it was originally created as a bi-wing design. The primary difference with this design is the presence of two separate wings that are deployed upwards. The lower wing carries the weight of the rotor blades above the upper track, while the upper wing is held up in the air by pusher airbags. As the names suggest, the pusher airbags allow the upper wing to break the momentum of the downward thrust by allowing the air bags to push outward when the helicopter pitches forward or backwards. Although the advantage of this design is that there is no need for a tail rotor, it is a major limitation because of the weight that must be carried over the wings.
Unlike helicopters that are designed to take off and land on grass, a helicopter that is designed to perform aerial deliveries requires an efficient design for its transmission and landing gear. Unlike airplanes, helicopters cannot easily glide on straight runways because their wing systems are not long enough to keep them on the desired course. They also cannot lift the equivalent of 100 lbs of weight at the same time. To address these limitations, engineers designed the helicopter to be constructed of two different materials, which enable the craft to effectively control direction, glide, fly in pattern and land on a proper runway.
The two primary parts of the helicopter are the airframe and the tail rotor, which hold the main rotor assembly. The airframe is often made from either aluminum or fabric, depending on local weather and other environmental factors. The fabric is much lighter than aluminum but suffers from the wind’s resistance when the helicopter takes off and flies. Aluminum is usually the preferred material for the airframe because it is extremely durable and easy to repair. Some modifications have been made to the original design to allow for more aerodynamic efficiency, including using thicker wings for improved performance, longer blade spans, steeper angles of attack and additional control surfaces.
After the airframe, flaps, trailing edge wings and tail fins form the lateral control surfaces of the invention. Typically, these parts are stitched to the top of the airframe to support its strength and maneuverability. On some models of helicopters, such as the Bell helicopter, each of these components is separately constructed.
The control surface is usually a membrane that allows precise control of the movement, lift and tilt of the helicopter. Most people confuse the invention with a joystick, and that is incorrect because the controls on a true helicopter are often separate from those on an electric model. Sikorsky claims that the invention is far superior to other helicopters, which is why they have not sold the device to the general market. The inventor has complete creative control over the product, including how it flies and maneuvers.
One other interesting component included on many Sikorsky aircraft is what is known as a pusher strut. This piece of equipment allows two engines to be mounted in tandem on a single helicopter, increasing the overall lift of the craft. It also adds stability, since only one engine is needed to power a craft. Although the use of pushers is exclusive to Sikorsky helicopters, other manufacturers have introduced similar components.
Overall, both aircraft are incredibly lightweight, with very low drag ratios. The invention is also much more stable and less susceptible to flapping during flight. Although the Sikorsky aircraft has the edge in terms of flight distance and maneuverability, the invention has a clear advantage in terms of efficiency and cost. The aircraft is also more fuel efficient and has a much longer range than either the Sikorsky or helicopter. These advantages make the R-Pod superior to both the helicopters and the Sikorsky flying ships.