PLT268: Hovering Performance And Tendencies

What this means for your checkride

A single main rotor helicopter tends to drift laterally in the direction of tail rotor thrust, a characteristic called translating tendency, which the pilot counteracts with the tip path plane tilted slightly against the drift. Because the fuselage hangs from a single point, it is also subject to pendular action and can oscillate laterally or longitudinally, so control movements should be smooth and not exaggerated. Hover performance depends on power available versus power required, which is greatest in the hover, and ground effect increases rotor efficiency when hovering close to the surface. More power is required to hover than in any other flight regime.

Hovering tendencies and performance limits explain the control inputs and power planning needed to hold a stable hover.

Where to study it