Settling with power

settling with power
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.

Settling with power, also known as a vortex ring state, is when the aircraft is unable to arrest its descent due to the rotor's downwash interfering with the aerodynamics of the rotor.

My belief is that by maintaining altitude during the desceleration, the pilot stays above his vortex (similar to an out of ground effect hover) and eliminates the chance of settling with power, as well as eliminating the chance of a tail rotor strike.

Conditions conducive to settling with power are a vertical or nearly vertical descent of at least 300 feet per minute and low forward airspeed.

See also: Power, Helicopter, Pilot, Altitude, Speed