Patent ID: 6830214
Filing Date: 2004-12-14
Classification: B64C

Abstract:
A method of operating a helicopter, comprising:measuring an angle between a longitudinal axis of a fuselage of the helicopter and a direction coinciding substantially with a direction of level flight of the helicopter using an inclinometer fixedly coupled to the fuselage; measuring cyclic pitch of rotor blades of the helicopter using a sensor responsive to a position of a cyclic stick of a cyclic control of the helicopter; controlling a direction of flight of the helicopter by controlling the cyclic pitch using the cyclic control; controlling the angle between the longitudinal axis of a fuselage of the helicopter and the direction coinciding substantially with a direction of level flight of the helicopter substantially independent of the cyclic control by varying a position of at least a portion of a horizontal stabilizer mounted on one of a pylon and a tail boom of the helicopter; and minimizing the cyclic pitch of the rotor blades and the angle between the longitudinal axis of a fuselage of the helicopter and the direction coinciding substantially with the direction of level flight based on the measurements from the inclinometer and the sensor.