Altitude as a performance limiting factor
Asked by: Sam 11411 views Aerodynamics, Helicopter
Hey there
Today I was talking to a friend about the limited service ceiling of helicopters.
We know that helicopters are limited in altitude because the airfoils are at a certain altitude no longer able to produce enough lift (becuase of the lower air density etc).
My friend suggested following thing:
If helicopter manufacturers would implement a feature with which pilots could increase the lift producing surface of the airfoils (blades) it would allow them to compensate for the reduced air density (because bigger blades equals more lift). And since the air is less dense at altitude we would need the same amount of power even with those bigger blades!?
Does that makes sense? And how is the engine power limited with increasing altitude (even with turbochargers)?
Thanks
Sam
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