**Please read for more important info and links** Since proving to myself that 1 bladed props would fly my Gas and Electric Helis, airplanes, and quads, I always wanted to try it on a Coaxial helicopter. This experiment is a direct comparison, showing time of flights and how I balanced the blades. Have you got broken props or rotor blades keeping you from flying? Then this might work for you too. If your drug store heli has already broken a blade, what’s to lose?
Note: 1 bladed prop procedures are old technology. Many old Pylon racers used to use them for the same reasons as I, less power to run, and less prop turbulence. The hurdle has always been that they are time consuming to make and usually have to be longer, thus making landing gears also having to be longer, difficult on the planes. The pros on F-4 U Corsairs were very big too, hence why the gull wing. It was to make the wheels lower to the ground so the props could clear.
Note on Heli’s: All my 1 bladed Heli’s use the same lengths as the stock blades, so tail rotors and booms did not have to be extended.
Besides, from my early days of designing the Hyperfly Tail Rotorless helicopter for Kyosho, we used short blades to guarantee less body torque than more or longer blades, so I knew short blades would work, just spin faster. (See video link below for 1 bladed Hyperfly experiment)
Another plus is that if I buy a set of blades, I always have a spare. LOL.
In all my tests though, I’ve come to the same conclusions. The single rotor blade creates less turbulence creating smoother air pulses, plus they take less power to spin over a 2 bladed prop.
This was a fun experiment that even surprised me. I think this also solves the “toilet bowl effect” that coaxial s are known for too, while still stimulating the brain and showing what can be done if one actually tries it vs. simply talking about it.
Here is a link to a thumbnail index of some of my other single rotor blade experiments.
Thanks kindly for watching and happy flying.
Dave Herbert
AMA L-8221
LM/CD/Scientific Division
You also may like:
Academy of Model Aeronautics.
(Drone Updates, FAA warnings and fines)
