rockhouse

My Feedback: (5)

Can an airplane tach be used to determine head speed?

credence

My Feedback: (2)

Yes. It's a bit more dangerous though [8D].

I use an air tach to get headspeeds. It's not as accurate as an optical tach is, which allows you to measure the headspeed while the helicopter is actually in flight. But I use an airplane tach to measure headspeed at 0 and negative pitch angles while on the ground to simulate load while in the air. It's not as accurate, but it works well enough most of the time. Of course, it's more dangerous since you need to approach the helicopter while it's running and aim the tach at the blades. Most tachs work from a good distance away, but you still need to be overtop the helicopter somewhat to get a proper reading.

Basically, you use an airplane tach at the risk of destroying your shins .

BarracudaHockey

My Feedback: (11)

Just hold the tach in your teeth and hover over your head. It will work just fine.


I'm kidding. Stay the heck away from a heli thats spinning at takeoff rpm, one glitch and you could be on the way to the hospital with your arm in a cooler.