Prop Wash

[rotorjunkie]

Hi Guys...not sure if this has been discussed or not...I've been reading a lot of posts with 'prop wash' accidents, I am a helicopter pilot and 'prop wash' or 'settling with power' is Vortex Ring State [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vortex_ring_state] The way I was taught about prop wash was to get out of it, i.e. fly forwards, backwards or to the side...any of these actions will get 'clean' air to your rotors and allow them to start producing lift again. Not trying to be some sort of instructor or 'Mr. Know it all', just thought I would chime in with some info. Hope this helps someone

 

[ResevorDG]

Hi Guys...not sure if this has been discussed or not...I've been reading a lot of posts with 'prop wash' accidents, I am a helicopter pilot and 'prop wash' or 'settling with power' is Vortex Ring State [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vortex_ring_state] The way I was taught about prop wash was to get out of it, i.e. fly forwards, backwards or to the side...any of these actions will get 'clean' air to your rotors and allow them to start producing lift again. Not trying to be some sort of instructor or 'Mr. Know it all', just thought I would chime in with some info. Hope this helps someone

Thanks for brining this up. It has been covered a lot on other sections like the P2 and P2V1 section but I think you are the first of the Plus users to bring this up.
You are correct if you descend while moving through the air you are doing much better than just dropping like a rock.

I fly fixed wings so we really don't have to worry about that much. Good to see another pilot on here.