Reference(s):

FAA-H-8083-21A – Helicopter Flying Handbook pg. 2-10

Principles of Helicopter Flight, 2nd Edition, pg. 47
FM 3-04.203-2007 Fundamentals of Flight pg. 1-9

Other Helicopter Aerodynamic Principles

Aerodynamics
Lift

What is relative wind?

August 16, 2018 by ETL

Relative wind is the angle of airflow as it impacts an airfoil.

Movement of an airfoil through the air creates relative wind. The direction of airfoil in
relation to the air changes the angle of the airflow, or relative wind. Relative wind is
parallel but in the opposite direction of the airfoil’s direction.

With fixed-wing aircraft, this is a simple concept. With rotary wing aircraft, there are
several other factors impacting the relative wind, mainly rotation of the rotor blades, and
the induced flow from lift production. With helicopters, when someone refers to relative
wind, they are usually referring to resultant relative wind.

Reference(s):

FAA-H-8083-21A – Helicopter Flying Handbook pg. 2-8

Principles of Helicopter Flight, 2nd Edition, pg. 47
FM 3-04.203-2007 Fundamentals of Flight pg. 1-8

Other Helicopter Aerodynamic Principles

Aerodynamics
Relative Wind

What is rotational relative wind?

August 16, 2018 by ETL

Rotational relative wind is the relative wind produced by the rotation of the rotor blades.

Rotational relative wind is parallel to the physical flight path of the rotor blades. The
rotational relative wind is at its maximum velocity at the rotor tips.

Reference(s):

FAA-H-8083-21A – Helicopter Flying Handbook pg. 2-8

Principles of Helicopter Flight, 2nd Edition, pg. 47
FM 3-04.203-2007 Fundamentals of Flight pg. 1-9
Other Helicopter Aerodynamic Principles

Aerodynamics
Relative Wind

What is resultant relative wind?

August 16, 2018 by ETL

Resultant relative wind is angle airflow at the rotor blades considering rotational relative
wind and induced flow.

When at a hover in a calm, no-wind condition, resultant relative wind is the combination of
rotational relative wind and induced flow. However, the movement of the helicopter and
wind velocity also affect the angle of the airflow at the rotor blades. Resultant relative
wind is a factor used in determining or describing many aerodynamic factors. Often,
relative wind and resultant relative wind are used simultaneously.

Reference(s):

FAA-H-8083-21A – Helicopter Flying Handbook pg. 2-8

Principles of Helicopter Flight, 2nd Edition, pg. 47
FM 3-04.203-2007 Fundamentals of Flight pg. 1-10

Other Helicopter Aerodynamic Principles

About the Author

Bradley J. Fenster loves aviation and has a passion for teaching. Brad is the owner and the
primary helicopter instructor for ETL Aviation. Prior to learning to fly, Brad spent several
years in the military. Brad was a Special Warfare Combat Craft Crewman in the U.S. Navy
and he was also a Ranger-qualified infantry officer in the Army. Brad is a father and lives in
Lexington, Kentucky with his beautiful wife and two cats.

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