Patent ID: 8376265
Filing Date: 2013-02-19
Classification: B64C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of modifying a helicopter, the method comprising: removing a first upper trailing edge of an upper fin of a vertical stabilizer, the upper fin extending upwardly from a tail boom of the helicopter and the upper fin of the vertical stabilizer having a first upper fin average chord length prior to removing the first trailing edge; forming a second upper trailing edge of the upper fin so that the vertical stabilizer has a second upper fin average chord length that is less than the first upper fin average chord length; removing a first lower trailing edge of a lower fin of the vertical stabilizer, the lower fin extending downwardly from the tail boom of the helicopter and the lower fin of the vertical stabilizer having a first lower fin average chord length prior to removing the first trailing edge; forming a second lower trailing edge of the lower fin so that the vertical stabilizer has a second lower fin average chord length that is less than the first lower fin average chord length; and coupling at least one strake to the tail boom such that the at least one strake generates a force by altering a main lifting rotor downwash so as to at least partially counteract a reaction torque produced by a main lift rotor of the helicopter.