NOTAR
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
NOTAR, an acronym for no tail rotor, is a helicopter stabilization process developed by McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems which eliminates the use of tail rotors on helicopters, yielding quieter and safer operation.
NOTAR rotorcraft utilize the Coanda Effect, ducting downdraft from the main rotor blades into the tailboom. A variable pitch fan is enclosed in the aft fuselage section immediately forward of the tail boom and driven by the main rotor transmission. Anti-torque control is effected using this low pressure, high volume air ducted through the tail boom. There are currently three helicopters that take advantage of NOTAR technology, all produced by MD Helicopters:
- The MD 520N, a NOTAR variant of the MD500 series helicopter is seen in the movie Mission: Impossible
- The MD 600N, a larger version of the MD 520N is seen in the James Bond film Die Another Day
- MD 902 Explorer
[edit] see also
- Other alternatives to convention tail rotor

