Helicopter Aerodynamics

Send us a text

Helicopter Aerodynamics | FAA Decoded Podcast #18

Welcome to Episode 18 of FAA Decoded! In this 25-minute episode, we take a deep dive into helicopter aerodynamics, focusing on the forces and principles unique to rotorcraft flight. While we explored the broader "Principles of Flight Explained" back in Episode 4 using the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, this time we’re zeroing in on helicopters with insights from Chapter 2, "Aerodynamics of Flight," of the Helicopter Flying Handbook. We’ll break down the four key forces at play—lift, weight, thrust, and drag—and how they interact in helicopter-specific regimes like hovering, forward flight, sideward flight, and rearward flight.

We’ll also tackle critical aerodynamic concepts such as airfoil characteristics, relative wind, induced flow, and effective translational lift, while addressing phenomena like gyroscopic precession, the Coriolis effect, and coning. This episode is designed for pilots to understand how to manage these forces using power and flight controls, and to master essential maneuvers like autorotation for safer operations. Whether you’re a student pilot, an instructor, or an aviation enthusiast, you’ll gain practical insights tailored to helicopter flight dynamics.

Subscribe to stay updated, and leave a review to share your thoughts! Have questions about helicopter aerodynamics or flight experiences to share? Send us a message—we’d love to hear from you!

HelicopterAerodynamics, AviationEducation, PilotTraining, LiftAndDrag, Autorotation, FAAdecoded, AviationPodcast, FlightMechanics, Rotorcraft, FlightSafety

Based on Chapter 2, "Aerodynamics of Flight," from the Helicopter Flying Handbook.