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Book Review

Helicopter Aerodynamics, Volume II.
By Ray Prouty

I think any review of this new volume needs only two words: Ray Prouty.
In our last issue we had an article with check lists to help the novice experimental helicopter purchaser/builder sift through the many kits to buy.

Well here is an additional check item: Check the kit designer's technical library. There should be dog-eared copies of both Ray Prouty books on Helicopter Aerodynamics; if not, get out of there and go some place else. Of course you should wait a while to give your favorite designer to have read this review and ordered the latest copy.

All that said, Volume II should not be put into the bathroom library. Loss of circulation in the legs and interference with others wanting to use the facility will result. This 356 page tomb is loaded with information written by Ray in his normal easy to read style. One highly valuable feature is a listing of the author's library at the end of the book, which forms an outstanding reference listing.

There is an interesting item that I have never seen presented before called: Floquet (pronounced "flo-kay") Theory. You need to read the section and then blow your aviation friends away by dropping the little label into normal conversation, implying that of course, everybody obviously knows such stuff.

Need another good one? How about the BERP tip for rotors?
Then there is Prouty's discussion of the infamous Down Wind Turn that has been the source of arguments around the campfire.
Other examples of useful topics include an explanation as to why inches-per-second is the normal measurement for vibration and balancing measurements instead of Gs.

So to sum up: Volume II is a Must Have.

A friend, who is a "Stuck Wing" pilot, looked at my copy and immediately ordered his own. Another friend in Canada only had to hear "by Ray Prouty" to order his.

If you are a builder, modifier, piddler like me, or a designer, immediately go to www.EagleEyeSolutionsLLC.com and order your copy today. Don't bother asking how much, it doesn't matter. You want one of these.

Stu Fields
eh@iwvisp.com