Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-dh8gc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-06T10:58:57.903Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The Use of Carbon Fibre Composites in Helicopters

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 July 2016

H. F. Winny*
Affiliation:
Westland Helicopters Ltd

Extract

The structural use of fibre composites in helicopters, both for primary and secondary structures, has been recognised for some time. In 1964, Westlands developed a glass fibre composite tail boom and tailplane for the Wasp helicopter (Fig. 1) and the results were encouraging. The non-corrodable structure of the glass composite is considered a great advantage, especially for Naval helicopters. Strength testing of the tail boom was successfully completed with a weight of the component close to the existing metal tail boom, but resonance testing showed that a small additional weight was necessary to meet the stiffness requirements. The tailplane in glass fibre composite showed an appreciable saving in weight and after satisfactorily completing static and fatigue testing, one is now flying on a Service aircraft.

Type
Supplementary Papers
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 1971 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Paper given at a symposium on “The Effects of New Materials on Aircraft Design”, on 4th March 1971.