Should the Ka-50 spin when it loses its tail?

[marcos]

I thought the twin rotor system meant that the tail isn't as important.

[MTFDarkEagle]

Correct, it won't spin at slow speed, because the rotor mechanism takes care of the heading. At higher speeds however, the rotor mechanism for heading won't have any effect, and as such the loss of your rudder will matter.

[TurboHog]

You can still fly forward but it takes some effort. It feels like the heli does not know what your preferred orientation is in forward flight.

[Bushmanni]

The Ka-50 fuselage (like pretty much any helicopter) has it's aerodynamic center forward of the rotor but in forward flight the tail will keep the nose pointing forward. If you fly with high enough sideslip you will stall the tail and the nose will start to turn away from the direction you are moving. If you lose the tail you have a chopper that likes to fly backwards in any situation.

[MTFDarkEagle]

The Ka-50 fuselage (like pretty much any helicopter) has it's aerodynamic center forward of the rotor but in forward flight the tail will keep the nose pointing forward. If you fly with high enough sideslip you will stall the tail and the nose will start to turn away from the direction you are moving. If you lose the tail you have a chopper that likes to fly backwards in any situation.

 

Or sideways :D:pilotfly: