BEST WINNER AVIATION ABSTRACT
Best Aviation/Aerospace Abstract for 2011
Photo courtesy Van Nuys Airport
Effect of Added Weight on Helicopter Ascension
Congratulations from Van Nuys Airport to the recipient of the best aviation or aerospace abstract (as selected by the journal editor) for 2011. This student-author will receive special recognition from the airport. Great work!
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California State University, Northridge & Van Nuys Airport
Christopher Stanley and D. Shah (teacher) Portola Highly Gifted Magnet Center 18720 Linnet St. Tarzana, CA 91356
This study examined the question of added weight on helicopter lift. The time in seconds needed for a model helicopter weighing 29 grams to go from a full stop on the ground to 2 meters in altitude using maximum acceleration was measured with 0, 1 and 2 pennies weighing 3 grams each of ballast added. Each experiment was repeated nine times. A mean time of 1.69+/-0.39 seconds was recorded for the control flights. The added weight of 3 grams increased the time required to reach the target altitude to 2.24+/-0.77 seconds, and adding 6 grams increased the time to 2.94+/-1.13 seconds. The results suggest that increasing the weight increases the amount of time needed for a helicopter to ascend.