Patent ID: 7686245
Filing Date: 2010-03-30
Classification: B64C

Abstract:
1. A rotary aircraft, comprising: an airframe assembly including a fuselage; at least one rotor assembly operatively coupled to the airframe assembly and configured to provide a downwash over at least a portion of the airframe assembly during operation of the at least one rotor assembly; a fuel tank coupled to the fuselage, the fuel tank projecting at least partially laterally outwardly beyond a plan view perimeter of the fuselage; and a first controllably pivotable download alleviation strake, the first download alleviation strake coupled to an outboard portion of the fuselage and extending at least partially along a length of the fuselage, wherein the first download alleviation strake is coupled to the fuselage via the fuel tank and extends substantially an entire length of the fuel tank.