User Guide

Finally, above 60 knots the IHADSS switches to Flight mode. This is very similar to
Transition mode, minus the velocity vector line.
Flight mode
Liftoff and Low Altitude Hover
Hovering requires that the downward thrust generated by the rotor blades be equal to
the weight of the helicopter (including the weight of fuel and weapons). Further, you
must keep the fuselage level; pitching or banking the plane of the rotor blades redirects
the downward thrust and moves the helicopter. Finally, you must maintain sufficient
pedal input to prevent any yawing.
At low altitude, the rotor downwash essentially reflects off the ground, creating a
"cushion of lift" beneath the helicopter. This cushion, called "ground effect", extends to
approximately 50ft above the surface, depending on the type of terrain. Rough surfaces
tend to reflect the downwash in random directions, degrading the cushion and reducing
the height of the ground effect. It takes somewhat less torque to hover "in ground effect"
(below 50ft or so) than it does at 100ft.
IHADSS Hover mode shows.
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