Table of Contents
- 1 Why is it hard for helicopters to hover?
- 2 What does a helicopter do when it hovers?
- 3 How long can a helicopter hover in the same spot?
- 4 Can helicopters hover in one place?
- 5 Why do helicopter rotors sound different when hovering?
- 6 How can you tell what a helicopter is doing by ear?
- 7 How can you tell when a helicopter is descending?
Why is it hard for helicopters to hover?
Hovering a helicopter is quite difficult because the helicopter is controlled in flight by tilting its lift, which makes the controls fundamentally acceleration controls.
What does a helicopter do when it hovers?
At hover, this lift is simply equal to the weight of the helicopter. There is no forward movement and thrust is equal to zero. In aircraft, the forward motion of the aircraft creates airflow over the wings, which in turn generate lift. In helicopters, the blades are rotated to generate airflow over the blades.
Why do helicopters make a popping sound?
In a January press release, the DLR explained that most noise comes from the helicopter’s main rotor. As it spins, air pressure drops above each blade, and rises below it (pushing the helicopter up). Against the right background, that shimmering makes the air vortices created by helicopter blades visible.
How long can a helicopter hover in the same spot?
Generally, though, a helicopter can hover anywhere between 2- 5 hours on average before it needs to be refueled. The length of time depends on the type of helicopter, the efficiency of the engines and main rotor system, as well as the kind of hover a pilot wants to hold.
Can helicopters hover in one place?
A helicopter can hover in place for as long it has the power required and the fuel to keep the engines running. The length of time depends on the type of helicopter, the efficiency of the engines and main rotor system, as well as the kind of hover a pilot wants to hold.
Can a helicopter hover in the same spot?
Yes and no. It is quite dangerous for them to hover in a low spot. The blades work the same way planes do. Air needs to move over them.
Why do helicopter rotors sound different when hovering?
Hovering takes quite a bit of power. When hovering, the aerodynamics around the rotor blade get relatively complicated, but it is behaving quite differently when hovering than when it is moving forward. This effect will change the sound, and helicopter pilots can often tell what a helicopter is doing by the sound of the rotor.
How can you tell what a helicopter is doing by ear?
This effect will change the sound, and helicopter pilots can often tell what a helicopter is doing by the sound of the rotor. When a helicopter is descending, for example, the blades begin to make a blade “slapping” sound, and it is particularly distinct. I can always tell by ear when a helicopter is descending.
How do helicopter pilots know what a helicopter is doing?
This effect will change the sound, and helicopter pilots can often tell what a helicopter is doing by the sound of the rotor. When a helicopter is descending, for example, the blades begin to make a blade “slapping” sound, and it is particularly distinct.
How can you tell when a helicopter is descending?
When a helicopter is descending, for example, the blades begin to make a blade “slapping” sound, and it is particularly distinct. I can always tell by ear when a helicopter is descending. Helicopters in a hover are no different, they also make a different sound when they are hovering versus moving forward, and so they will sound different.