In vortex ring state, if the collective is lowered, the rate of descent will continue to

In vortex ring state, if the collective is lowered, the rate of descent will continue to

• A. Decrease
• B. Increase
• C. Stabilize
• D. Remain constant

Answer: (B)

In vortex ring state the rotor is descending through its own disturbed downwash, so the rotor’s ability to generate lift is significantly degraded. Lowering the collective reduces blade pitch and thrust, and in this already troubled flow that extra loss in lift lets the helicopter sink even faster. So the rate of descent will continue to increase. To recover, you typically need to move the helicopter forward to exit the downwash and maintain or carefully increase collective to restore rotor lift once you’re back in cleaner air. Lowering the collective does not help in this state.

In vortex ring state the rotor is descending through its own disturbed downwash, so the rotor’s ability to generate lift is significantly degraded. Lowering the collective reduces blade pitch and thrust, and in this already troubled flow that extra loss in lift lets the helicopter sink even faster. So the rate of descent will continue to increase. To recover, you typically need to move the helicopter forward to exit the downwash and maintain or carefully increase collective to restore rotor lift once you’re back in cleaner air. Lowering the collective does not help in this state.