Hi ya'll,
First> Direct Control (D.C.) it would seem a better label would be
"Infinite rotor control" the ability to have both pitch and lateral plus any combination of the two. Example> partial "up" along with
some right or left.
I have had considerable eperience evaluating the control ability
of elevators versus rotor pitch control.
History> Giro V orgionally flew with elevator only for pitch control.
I could hardly wait to have infinite control, sounded so high tech!
To have the ability I developed a simplistic infinite control rotor
head. Complete details in 11/2000 RCM.
This head was simply added to Giro V so that both elevator and
fore and aft rotor were available.
Good opportunity to evaluate both?
Considerable previous experience with elevator allowed immediate comparison.
It was found that craft reaction as far as direction was cocerned
was similiar when using either method.
However, a diffinite superiority was found using elevator.
Assume the craft is in level flight and a climb to altitude is desired. You are familiar with how an airplane reacts in that
situation? The Giro reacts in a very similiar way when elevator
does the work.
When fore and aft rotor is asked to do the same as expected
the reaction is to produce the desired climb.
However, what is felt to be a shortcoming is very evident.
With elevator, airplane or Giro, there is very little if any loss of
forward air speed as the climb commences
Difference seen with fore and aft is the craft immediately slows
down, very unlike the elevator responce,
Would seem the difference makes elevator a superior control?
But, continued use of infinite control has seen a nicety.
This comes with two factors.
First very advantageous at all times is fore and aft control allows
the ability to trim the pitch mode which unlike elevator is effective at all flight speeds.
Secondly, with a different rotor for example> if it is apparent there is not enough lift or perhaps to muh, the needed increase
or decrease can be had by changing the rotor angle of attack
with the infinite head.
Bottom line> for best general performance elevator seems superior. Yet, the advantages of fore and aft are nice to have
Best way, have them both!
Should say, in practise what Steve mentions is correct. Generally
speaking when using elevator we can hold some "up" on the take
off run and the Giro will not lift until it is ready.
Holding some "up" with fore and aft can cause the Giro to lift
before sufficent rotor RPM is attained, result an abort!
Thought> it was only a few years ago when Giro mysteries were
abundent. however with many obtaining experience needed knowledge has been accumullated. Nice to know the new craft
will work instead of the hope it used to be!
OK?

Hal [email protected]