As of fall 2001, two students built a test stand to test the 1/8 scale model rotor built several years ago.  Spring 2002 will see the test stand used, and data collected for various collective pitch and Z/D's.  The testing will (hopefully) verifiy a computer code written to predict the power usage of a full scale human powered helicopter rotor.
 

The test stand was built as a directed study class.  The basic idea is to be able to measure thrust and torque that the rotor produces.  This is done by supporting the motor, hub, and rotor assemble on three load cells, which will measure thrust.  This assembly in turn is supported by three flexures.  The flexures provide freedom of rotational movement, but the movement is restrained by a fourth load cell.  The distance from the center of the stand times the force on the load cell will equal the torque. The stand was also built to change the elevation in order to ground effect on the rotor.
For a full report of the project click here.
 

Below are several of the photos from the fabrication of the test stand.