In a stabilized hover, which forces are equal?

In a stabilized hover, the correct understanding revolves around the balance of forces acting on the aircraft. In this scenario, the forces that are equal are lift and weight.

When a helicopter or any aircraft is in a steady hover, it is crucial that the force of lift generated by the rotor blades is exactly equal to the force of gravity acting on the aircraft, which is its weight. This balance allows the aircraft to maintain a constant altitude. If lift exceeds weight, the aircraft will ascend; conversely, if weight exceeds lift, the aircraft will descend. This principle underlies the mechanics of flight, particularly in hover situations where the vertical forces must be in equilibrium.

Understanding this concept will help in grasping the dynamics of flight and the significance of force balance in aviation, especially in critical situations such as trauma assessments involving flight operations.