Which component allows rotor blades to flap as a unit in a semi-rigid rotor system?

Which component allows rotor blades to flap as a unit in a semi-rigid rotor system?

• A. Teetering Hinge
• B. Constant Velocity Joint
• C. Swashplate
• D. Pitch Link

Answer: (A)

The ability for rotor blades to flap as a unit in a semi-rigid rotor system comes from the teetering hinge at the rotor hub. This single hinge lets the blades pivot together in a flapping motion, like a seesaw, absorbing lift loads and allowing the rotor disk to tilt slightly under load without the complexity of multiple flapping hinges. The other components play different roles: the Constant Velocity Joint is part of the drive train, not the rotor head; the swashplate translates pilot cyclic and collective inputs to blade pitch changes; and the pitch link connects the pitch horn to the swashplate to modify blade pitch, not the flapping action.

The ability for rotor blades to flap as a unit in a semi-rigid rotor system comes from the teetering hinge at the rotor hub. This single hinge lets the blades pivot together in a flapping motion, like a seesaw, absorbing lift loads and allowing the rotor disk to tilt slightly under load without the complexity of multiple flapping hinges. The other components play different roles: the Constant Velocity Joint is part of the drive train, not the rotor head; the swashplate translates pilot cyclic and collective inputs to blade pitch changes; and the pitch link connects the pitch horn to the swashplate to modify blade pitch, not the flapping action.