On Mon, 21 Jul 2003 01:21:13 -0700, "Phillip" wrote:

Would a gyro with a swashplate ( just for pitch control) fly any different
(better,worse) than using a tilt type rotor head? Just more complex?

Just more complex. The net effect would be the same. Increase the angle
of attack 90 degrees before desired disc upward movement, decrease AoA
90 degrees before. Gyroscopic precession then makes the desire movement
happen.

Also, I've seen some photos of early kit helicopters that appear to have
just a tilting head (no way to auto-rotate ?). Isn't this a bit of a death
wish? Does a helicopter need to have collective pitch for anything other
than auto-rotaion?

Helicopter collective increase/decreases pitch angle of all blades
collectively and thereby increases/decreases lift. Pull collective up,
go up. lower collective, go down. It's a bit more complex than that, but
I'll leave that to the experts here.

Silly questions, but it's a late night.


Phil
--
Definitions of a pilot - No. 1

The average pilot, despite the sometimes swaggering exterior,
is very much capable of such feelings as love, affection,
intimacy and caring.
These feelings just don't involve anybody else.
US Navy Times