An investigation made on the rotor blade tip vortex through use of a Three Dimensional Laser Doppler Velocimetry(3D LDV) is described. The experiment is conducted with a 2 m in diameter model helicopter rotor. By a series of measurements near blade tip, the velocity field near blade tip is documented, and through which, the tip vortex rollup and development are presented. The radial distribution of instantaneous velocities at various levels above and under the rotor disc is also measured in this investigation. Using this distribution, the influence of the tip vortex from the preceding blade on the follow up blade is discussed.
