Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the apparatus of the invention is a flight vehicle tail assembly having an exterior surface, at least one first vent in the exterior surface, at least one second vent in the exterior surface, and an air passage connecting the at least one first vent to the at least one second vent allowing air to flow therebetween. Where the at least one first vent is located near a high air pressure area acting on the exterior surface during a range of predefined flight conditions. Further, the at least one second vent is located near a low air pressure area acting on the exterior surface during the predefined flight conditions. So that at the predefined flight conditions adverse loads on the tail assembly are reduced by venting air from the high pressure area, through the tail assembly, to the low pressure area.

Abstract: A process for bonding elastomeric material to a metal part includes coating a heat curable adhesive on surfaces of the metal part to be bonded, placing the metal part in a mold, preheating a bottom plate and an upper transfer pot of a transfer molding machine to a predetermined cure temperature, loading a predetermined quantity of uncured elastomeric material into the transfer pot, clamping the mold containing the adhesive coated metal part to the bottom plate, and almost contemporaneously, pressing the uncured elastomeric material into the mold while maintaining heat and pressure in the mold for a time sufficient to vulcanize and thereby cure the elastomeric material simultaneously with the adhesive, whereby contacting surfaces of the metal part are strongly bonded to the vulcanized elastomeric material.

Abstract: A system for improving yaw control at low speeds consists of one strake placed on the upper portion of the fuselage facing the retreating rotor blade and another strake placed on the lower portion of the fuselage facing the advancing rotor blade. These strakes spoil the airflow on the helicopter tail boom during hover, low speed flight and right or left sidewards flight so that less side thrust is required from the tail rotor.

Abstract: A helicopter 10 with a system for controlling mainrotor torque which reduces the power and size requirements of conventional anti-torque means. The torque countering forces are generated by disrupting the main rotor downwash flowing around the fuselage. The downward flow is separated from the fuselage surface 11 by strakes 16 and 17 positioned at specified locations on the fuselage 11. These locations are determined by the particular helicopter wash pattern and fuselage configuration, generally being located 30.degree. before top dead center 21 and 30.degree. from bottom dead center 22 on the fuselage side to which the main rotor blade 12 approaches during rotation. The strakes 16 and 17 extend along the fuselage 11 from the cabin section 18 to the aft end and can be continuous or separated for aerodynamic surfaces such as a horizontal stabilizer 15.