What term denotes the rotation of a rotor blade around the spanwise axis, i.e., the pitch change axis?

What term denotes the rotation of a rotor blade around the spanwise axis, i.e., the pitch change axis?

• A. Blade Feather or Feathering
• B. Axis of Rotation
• C. Basic Empty Weight
• D. Autopilot

Answer: (A)

The movement of a rotor blade around the spanwise axis (the blade’s length) to change its angle of attack is called feathering. This pitch change around the blade’s pitch axis is what sets the blade’s aerodynamic angle and thus the lift they produce. Feathering is the term used to describe rotating the blade to a different pitch, including positioning it edge-on to the airflow to minimize drag or to adjust thrust. The other options don’t describe this blade-pitch rotation mechanism—they refer to a generic axis, an unrelated weight, or an unrelated system.

The movement of a rotor blade around the spanwise axis (the blade’s length) to change its angle of attack is called feathering. This pitch change around the blade’s pitch axis is what sets the blade’s aerodynamic angle and thus the lift they produce. Feathering is the term used to describe rotating the blade to a different pitch, including positioning it edge-on to the airflow to minimize drag or to adjust thrust. The other options don’t describe this blade-pitch rotation mechanism—they refer to a generic axis, an unrelated weight, or an unrelated system.