A rotor assembly comprises a rotor hub and rotor-blade assemblies. The rotor hub comprises rotor-blade supports. Each rotor-blade assembly is coupled to a respective one of the rotor-blade supports and comprises a flap axle, a hub connector, a rotor blade, and a torsion strap. The flap axle extends through a respective one of the rotor-blade supports and has a central flap-axle axis. The hub connector is pivotable relative to a rotor-blade support about the central flap-axle axis and defines a central hub-connector axis. The rotor blade is coupled to and is pivotable relative to the hub connector, and, together with the hub connector, is pivotable relative to a respective one of the rotor-blade supports about the central flap-axle axis. The torsion strap has a first end, coupled to the rotor blade, and a second end, through which the flap axle passes.

A rotor blade assembly of an aircraft having a rotor hub including a structural member having an inboard end and an outboard end, the structural member being connectable with the rotor hub. A spar surrounds the structural member and extends at least partially along a rotor blade axis. A pitch bearing assembly supports the spar relative to the structural member. The pitch bearing assembly includes an inboard pitch bearing mounted to the inboard end of the structural member and an outboard pitch bearing mounted to the outboard end of the structural member. The rotor blade assembly additionally includes a centrifugal assembly including a centrifugal bearing disposed between the inboard pitch bearing and the outboard pitch bearing relative to the rotor blade axis.

A rotor blade retention assembly includes a central hub, a rotor blade including an upper outer surface, a lower outer surface, a blade hole, and a proximal end coupled to the central hub, a strap member extending along a portion of the rotor blade such that a distal end receiving portion extends into the blade hole, and a retainer assembly disposed within the blade hole and coupled to the strap member. The retainer assembly includes an upper bushing and a lower bushing slidably disposed within the blade hole. The upper bushing includes a counterbored portion. The retainer assembly also includes an outboard blade pin disposed within the distal end receiving portion and includes a blade pin inner cavity.

A rotor blade retention assembly includes a central hub, a rotor blade including an upper outer surface, a lower outer surface, a blade hole, and a proximal end coupled to the central hub, a strap member extending along a portion of the rotor blade such that a distal end receiving portion extends into the blade hole, and a retainer assembly disposed within the blade hole and coupled to the strap member. The retainer assembly includes an upper bushing and a lower bushing slidably disposed within the blade hole. The upper bushing includes a counterbored portion. The retainer assembly also includes an outboard blade pin disposed within the distal end receiving portion and includes a blade pin inner cavity.

A vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle that includes a flight controller and a rotor. During a vertical landing state, during which the VTOL vehicle is performing a vertical landing, the flight controller decides whether to switch from the vertical landing state to a self adjusting state and in the event it is decided to do so, the flight controller switches from the vertical landing state to the self adjusting state. During the self adjusting state, the flight controller generates a control signal for a rotor where the control signal causes: (1) the rotor to rotate during the self adjusting state and (2) the VTOL vehicle to stay in place during the self adjusting state, such that an occupant is able to enter or exit the VTOL vehicle during the self adjusting state.

A vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle that includes a flight controller and a rotor. During a vertical landing state, during which the VTOL vehicle is performing a vertical landing, the flight controller decides whether to switch from the vertical landing state to a self adjusting state and in the event it is decided to do so, the flight controller switches from the vertical landing state to the self adjusting state. During the self adjusting state, the flight controller generates a control signal for a rotor where the control signal causes: (1) the rotor to rotate during the self adjusting state and (2) the VTOL vehicle to stay in place during the self adjusting state, such that an occupant is able to enter or exit the VTOL vehicle during the self adjusting state.

A tail rotor head of a rotary wing aircraft is disclosed, the tail rotor head having at least a pitch control unit and a tail rotor hub, wherein a multiplicity of tail rotor blade holders are arranged to be connectable while reaching through openings in the tail rotor hub and the pitch control unit at the tail rotor head. The tail rotor blade is detachably connected at a first side of the tail rotor blade holder and a tension torsion strap is detachably mounted at a second side of the tail rotor blade holder. The tension torsion strap runs from the tail rotor head at least partly through the tail rotor blade holder radially outward in a direction of the tail rotor blade, thereby allowing for easy replacement of single rotor blades and a more simplified maintenance of the tail rotor head.

A tail rotor head of a rotary wing aircraft is disclosed, the tail rotor head having at least a pitch control unit and a tail rotor hub, wherein a multiplicity of tail rotor blade holders are arranged to be connectable while reaching through openings in the tail rotor hub and the pitch control unit at the tail rotor head. The tail rotor blade is detachably connected at a first side of the tail rotor blade holder and a tension torsion strap is detachably mounted at a second side of the tail rotor blade holder. The tension torsion strap runs from the tail rotor head at least partly through the tail rotor blade holder radially outward in a direction of the tail rotor blade, thereby allowing for easy replacement of single rotor blades and a more simplified maintenance of the tail rotor head.

A structural member for use in a rotor system which rotates about a rotational axis includes a pin which extends substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis, a filler component positioned adjacent the pin, and a plurality of layers of composite material having fibers oriented lengthwise along a central axis which is perpendicular to the rotational axis. The plurality of fibers in the layers of composite material is wrapped about the pin and the filler component such that the fibers extend along the central axis and the plurality of layers form an opening filled by the filler component and which decreases as a function of distance from the pin along the central axis.

A structural member for use in a rotor system which rotates about a rotational axis includes a pin which extends substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis, a filler component positioned adjacent the pin, and a plurality of layers of composite material having fibers oriented lengthwise along a central axis which is perpendicular to the rotational axis. The plurality of fibers in the layers of composite material is wrapped about the pin and the filler component such that the fibers extend along the central axis and the plurality of layers form an opening filled by the filler component and which decreases as a function of distance from the pin along the central axis.