Adams, George Francis2017-01-302017-01-301980http://hdl.handle.net/10919/74460With the advent of variable geometric wing surfaces providing noticeable performance improvements in fixed wing aircraft, a theoretical study of the performance advantages of variable geometry designs for rotary wing aircraft is presented. The analysis is developed in three sections, namely: 1) Theoretical justification of variable geometry through application of simple blade element equations; 2) A simplified design proposal to implement variable geometry in rotor systems; and 3) A numerical comparison of fixed and variable geometry performance statistics applied to specifications of an actual helicopter.ii, 62, [1] leavesapplication/pdfen-USIn CopyrightLD5655.V851 1980.A325Rotors (Helicopters)Helicopters -- Design and constructionMaster's project