Hovering out of ground effect requires more power due to increased which drag component?

Hovering out of ground effect requires more power due to increased which drag component?

• A. Induced Drag Increases
• B. Parasite Drag Increases
• C. Profile Drag Decreases
• D. None

Answer: (A)

Induced drag is what increases when you hover out of ground effect. When you generate lift, the rotor creates a downward flow of air (downwash). In ground effect, the nearby surface helps straighten and redirect this flow, which lowers the induced velocity and reduces the amount of induced drag, making hovering more efficient. Once you move out of that effect, the ground no longer assists the airflow, so the rotor has to produce the same lift with a stronger downward acceleration of air. That higher induced velocity increases induced drag, so more power is required to hover. Parasite drag is not the main contributor in a hover at low airspeeds, and profile drag doesn’t explain the increased power here.

Induced drag is what increases when you hover out of ground effect. When you generate lift, the rotor creates a downward flow of air (downwash). In ground effect, the nearby surface helps straighten and redirect this flow, which lowers the induced velocity and reduces the amount of induced drag, making hovering more efficient. Once you move out of that effect, the ground no longer assists the airflow, so the rotor has to produce the same lift with a stronger downward acceleration of air. That higher induced velocity increases induced drag, so more power is required to hover. Parasite drag is not the main contributor in a hover at low airspeeds, and profile drag doesn’t explain the increased power here.