During a hover, where does a helicopter tend to drift?

In helicopter flight dynamics, especially during a hover, the tendency of a helicopter to drift can often be influenced by several factors including rotor wash, wind conditions, and asymmetrical lift. A common phenomenon observed is that helicopters can experience a right drift. This occurs due to torque produced by the main rotor system, which causes the airframe to turn to the left.

To counteract this torque and maintain a stable hover, pilots typically apply left cyclic control. However, if they are unable to manage this torque effectively, the helicopter might drift to the right as a result of this imbalance. This characteristic becomes particularly crucial for pilots to understand and anticipate when positioning a helicopter in a hover, influencing both the control inputs and the approach to landing or taking off.

Understanding these dynamics is essential for safe helicopter operation, especially in varying environmental conditions.