slick1537 Posted August 8, 2007 Posted August 8, 2007 So we were going over weight and balances in ground. He told me that lateral balance has to do with the weight left or right of the datum. Earlier in ground he also told me there are 3 axis of rotation for the helicopter, and one of which is the longitudinal axis, IE, roll, left or right cyclic. When it comes to weight and balance shouldn't it be called longitudinal balance, not lateral balance? Quote
bqmassey Posted August 8, 2007 Posted August 8, 2007 So we were going over weight and balances in ground. He told me that lateral balance has to do with the weight left or right of the datum. Earlier in ground he also told me there are 3 axis of rotation for the helicopter, and one of which is the longitudinal axis, IE, roll, left or right cyclic. When it comes to weight and balance shouldn't it be called longitudinal balance, not lateral balance? Imagine the longitudinal axis as a pole shoved through the front of the cockpit the exits at the rear of the choppper. Like a pig over a fire, the only way that helicopter can move around that axis is to roll around it (cyclic left and right). Now, when someone asks if that axis is balanced, the spear through the pig roasting on the fire, they're asking if one end of the spear is heavier than the other. It's that same with every axis. When someone asks if the aircraft is balanced on the lateral axis, they're asking if one end (left or right from the pilot's point of view) is heavier than the other. That's the bet way I can think to describe it. Quote
Eric Hunt Posted August 8, 2007 Posted August 8, 2007 Terminology, Bloggs. Longitudinal stability is about stability ALONG that axis, not ABOUT it. Same with W&B, it is concerned with how the weight is distributed along the longitudinal axis. We rotate about that axis with lateral cyclic. We rotate about the lateral axis (the one going side to side) using fore-and-aft cyclic in the longitudinal direction. But lateral CG concerns things happening along the axis, not about it. Confusing, ain't it? But life wasn't meant to be easy for a student, so live with it. Quote
Goldy Posted August 9, 2007 Posted August 9, 2007 Terminology, Bloggs. Longitudinal stability is about stability ALONG that axis, not ABOUT it. Same with W&B, it is concerned with how the weight is distributed along the longitudinal axis. We rotate about that axis with lateral cyclic. We rotate about the lateral axis (the one going side to side) using fore-and-aft cyclic in the longitudinal direction. But lateral CG concerns things happening along the axis, not about it. Confusing, ain't it? But life wasn't meant to be easy for a student, so live with it. I learned it was easier to just answer with the letter B and forget about the jargon. Quote
brushfire21 Posted August 9, 2007 Posted August 9, 2007 I learned it was easier to just answer with the letter B and forget about the jargon. LOL Quote
Barks111 Posted August 10, 2007 Posted August 10, 2007 Terminology, Bloggs. Longitudinal stability is about stability ALONG that axis, not ABOUT it. Same with W&B, it is concerned with how the weight is distributed along the longitudinal axis. We rotate about that axis with lateral cyclic. We rotate about the lateral axis (the one going side to side) using fore-and-aft cyclic in the longitudinal direction. But lateral CG concerns things happening along the axis, not about it. Confusing, ain't it? But life wasn't meant to be easy for a student, so live with it. So easy.......even a caveman can do it! Quote
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