What does retreating blade stall refer to?

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Retreating blade stall is a phenomenon that occurs in rotary-wing aircraft during forward flight. It specifically pertains to the behavior of the rotor blades as they rotate. As the helicopter moves forward, the blades experience varying angles of attack based on their position relative to the direction of travel.

The retreating blade, located on the side of the rotor disk that is moving away from the direction of flight, can experience a reduction in effective lift. As the forward speed increases, the angle of attack on the retreating blade may exceed its critical angle, leading to airflow separation and stall. This stall can adversely affect the helicopter's performance and control, potentially resulting in a loss of lift on that side.

Understanding retreating blade stall is crucial for pilots and engineers as it informs design considerations and operational strategies to avoid adverse effects during turns or at high speed. In contrast, the other options either misrepresent the concept or refer to different aspects of aerodynamics or rotor dynamics.

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