An autogyro includes a frame and a rotor hub coupled to the frame. The autogyro also includes a connector coupled to the rotor hub and configured to couple the rotor hub to a ground-based pre-rotator device to rotate the rotor hub during a vertical take-off operation. The autogyro further includes a plurality of rotor blades coupled to the rotor hub, each rotor blade configured such that rotation of the rotor hub, during the vertical take-off operation, results in twisting the rotor blade from a first blade pitch distribution to a second blade pitch distribution.

A rotor hub assembly includes an open rotor hub assembly with an open rotor hub and a mounting plate. The open rotor hub includes an annular base portion with periphery and a plurality of rotary member portions arranged about the annular base portion that each define an aperture for receiving a rotor blade. The mounting plate spans the annular base portion and is coupled to the annular base portion by a resilient member to accommodate radially expansion and contraction of the annular base portion according to loads exerted on the rotor hub by rotor blades seated in the apertures of the rotary member portions.

A rotorcraft rotor comprising a hub made up of a monolithic body of composite material obtained by stacking successive layers of carbon fiber fabric dusted with a thermoplastic resin and compressed while hot. The hub is provided with branches on which respective blades are mounted via hinge systems, each including a strength member bearing radially against a corresponding branch. The strength members are individually received in sockets defined on fabrication so that when the rotor is set into rotation at a predefined operating speed, the radial thrust seat for enabling the strength members to bear against the branches present bearing surfaces that are cylindrical, the radial thrust seats then being of shape complementary to a cylindrical bearing surface of the corresponding strength member.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems and methods for reducing drag on an aircraft. The aircraft can include at least one propulsion system with rotor blades configured to reduce aerodynamic drag when the propulsion system is deactivated. To reduce the amount of drag, the rotor blades can be locked into an aerodynamic position, and prevented from passively spinning. Additionally, the rotor blades can be configured to have angular positions that reduce drag. For example, the rotor blades as a group may be configured to generally point toward and/or away from an airflow current.

A rotor assembly includes a hub assembly and a shaft assembly. The hub assembly includes a hub and a first coupling, and the shaft assembly may be coupled to the hub assembly with a second coupling. The second coupling may be configured to facilitate rotation of the hub relative to a shaft of the shaft assembly. A rotor blade may be coupled to the hub assembly with a third coupling and be configured to rotate with the shaft. The first coupling may be configured to couple the hub to an actuator and transmit movements of the actuator to the hub to facilitate cyclic pitch control of the rotor blade. The rotor shaft may include arms and the hub may include a body coupled to the rotor blade by the third coupling and pairs of extensions that extend from a surface of the body to receive the arms.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems and methods for reducing drag on an aircraft. The aircraft can include at least one propulsion system with rotor blades configured to reduce aerodynamic drag when the propulsion system is deactivated. To reduce the amount of drag, the rotor blades can be locked into an aerodynamic position, and prevented from passively spinning. Additionally, the rotor blades can be configured to have angular positions that reduce drag. For example, the rotor blades as a group may be configured to generally point toward and/or away from an airflow current.