Blades

The blades are the essential elements of the aircraft. They consist principally
of
the following:
_ An envelope or a box that assures an aerodynamic profile and a stiffener
for torsion (the blade does not twist under aerodynamic forces, at least
for the actual generation of aircrafts

A spar which resists the centrifugal tension on the blade as well as the
flexure caused by the lift and drag loads. It is made of glass/epoxy (R
glass, more resistant and less sensitive to aging by humidity).
_ A rear edge that stiffens the blade in flexure in the direction of the drag.
_ A filler material (foam or honeycomb) that prevents the deformation of the
profile.
Figure 7.39 shows the different parts of the blade.
7.2.3.1 Advantages
The list of advantages obtained with this type of design is impressive:
_ The blade is molded (molding by assembly of two half shells under
pressure). This solution allows one to obtain an optimized profile (variable
chord and thickness, nonsymmetric profile, nonlinear twist).
_ The stiffeners for fluttering and for torsion can be controlled thanks to
judicious usage of composite materials.
7.2.3.2 Consequences
The payload is augmented. The mass reduction attains 400 kg for the aircraft
Superpuma Aesrospatiale (FRA). The cruising speed is increased for the same
power.

The gain is 32 km/h at 1500 m altitude as compared with a previous

helicopter.
_ The cost of fabrication is reduced by 50% in comparison with conventional
metallic solution.
_ The cost of operation is reduced.
_ The life of the blade is practically unlimited. None of the load in the
range of flight of the aircraft can lead to the fatigue damage. It is
quasiindestructible,
even when testing the specimens.

Increased security: the blade has the fail safe character.13 An impact
(projectile,
collision) causes a local deterioration which does not lead to the fall

of the aircraft.
_ The blade is repairable with a relatively simple process.14
_ The blade is not sensitive to corrosion.
Remarks: The blade as conceived can be ultralight. However, light weight
cannot be below a value that assures a minimum inertia that is indispensable
for
the good operation of the rotor.