Aero-Terms!

Aero-Terms are designed to be a daily reminder of the terms, names, acronyms and explanations of the unique language that populates the aviation world. Aerospace, sport aviation, fixed wing, helo, you name it... it's all fair game.

Aero-Terms should serve as a quick but intriguing reminder of the terms you may use every day, or an introduction to an aspects of the Aero-World you may not yet be familiar with. ANN also encourages readers to go beyond the FMI link, and further research any intriguing terms.

Suggestions for future Aero-Terms are ALWAYS welcome, as are additions or discussion of the explanations given for each Aero-Term.

Settling With Power

A hazardous condition of helicopter flight where the helicopter settles (descends) in spite of being in a high power setting. Three conditions are required for it to occur: (1) a descent rate of at least 300 ft/min (feet per minute), 2) an airspeed slower than Effective Translational Lift, and 3) 20% or greater power applied. Since all of these conditions must be present, removing any one of them escapes the condition. Whether or not this condition actually occurs will be dependent upon a number of other influences such as gross weight, winds, etc.

FMI: www.dynamicflight.com/aerodynamics/settling_power/