From Icing to Helipads: CFD-Based Solutions to Contemporary Rotorcraft Challenges

This paper presents an overview of how computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has been used to address a range of engineering and operational challenges in rotorcraft development. Drawing on the author’s two decades of experience at the Łukasiewicz – Institute of Aviation in Warsaw, Poland, it highlights real-world applications of CFD in rotorcraft-related design and engineering. The case studies discussed include tail rotor icing in an unmanned helicopter, directional instability in a gyroplane, engine nacelle cooling in a modern helicopter, and airflow hazards near rooftop helipads in dense urban settings. Using multiphysics simulations, CFD helps reduce reliance on costly experiments, supports flight safety improvements, and informs regulatory decisions. The paper demonstrates the practical value of CFD as a tool in rotorcraft engineering and planning for urban air operations.