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15. MODEL 286 Rigid Rotor Helicopter
The rigid rotor concept developed by Lockheed has opened the way
to helicopter flying ease, stability, control, and
maneuverability far exceeding other rotorcraft. On June 30,
1966, the Model 286 helicopter became the first rigid rotorcraft
to win Federal Aviation Administration Type certification,
passing with high marks al the rigorous tests imposed in 350
hours of flying by both FAA and Lockheed experts. Powered by a
Pratt & Whitney PT6 free-turbine engine located aft of the
rotor, the Model 286 was the first pure helicopter under 10,000
lbs. gross weight to exceed 200 m.p.h. in level flight. The
rigid rotor system, in which the blades are fixed rigidly to the
mast, gives a helicopter the easy flying "feel" of a fixed wing
aircraft. Most other helicopters have hinged or teetered rotor
blades, and these systems make aerobatic maneuvers, which
require high control power at all flight attitudes, extremely
difficult. The Model 286 demonstrated its ability to fly loops,
barrel rolls, vertical climbs and dives. |
