What is a helicopter vortex?

Vortex Ring, (a flight condition also sometimes called ‘settling with power’ or ‘power settling’) is a flight condition in which a helicopter that is receiving power from its engine(s) loses main rotor lift and subsequently experiences loss of control.

Can a helicopter fly after engine failure?

In normal powered helicopter flight, air is drawn into the main rotor system from above and exhausted downward, but during autorotation, air moves up into the rotor system from below as the helicopter descends. It is the means by which a helicopter can land safely in the event of complete engine failure.

Can a helicopter stall?

It turns out helicopters also stall, but in much different situations. Just as in an airplane, the wing or main rotor blade will stall if it gets slow enough and the angle of attack is exceeded. That’s the primary value in determining a helicopter’s VNE. Any faster and the retreating blade will stall.

Are helicopter crashes always fatal?

A helicopter accident, like other types of aviation accidents, is a rare occurrence. But when a helicopter accident happens, it can often result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities.

What does it mean when a helicopter settles?

Settling with Power is a condition of powered flight where the helicopter settles into its own downwash. The condition may also be referred to as the vortex ring state. The secondary vortex ring is generated about the point on the blade where airflow changes from up to down.

Can a helicopter glide to the ground?

Actually, helicopters have a built-in mechanical control called the collective pitch lever that allows them to descend slowly and land even if the engine dies. This maneuver is called autorotation.

How do helicopters recover from a stall?

Flight performance during a retreating blade stall Recovery involves lowering the collective pitch, relieving forward pressure on the cyclic or more commonly, both. Either of these control movements should restore the proper attached airflow over the retreating blade thus generating lift again.