Concise Perspective and Previous Surveys W HEN reviewing research in rotary-wing aeroelasticity (RWA), it is important to mention a few historical facts. The Wright brothers flew in 1903, and Sikorsky built and started flying the first operational helicopter, the R-4 or (VS-316), in 1942. The R-4 was a three-bladed helicopter with a rotor diameter of 11.6 m and was powered by a 185-hp engine. T...