What term refers to the vertical component of air flow through the rotor system resulting from lift?

What term refers to the vertical component of air flow through the rotor system resulting from lift?

• A. Downwash
• B. Induced Flow
• C. Induced Drag
• D. Turbulent Flow

Answer: (B)

Induced flow is the downward velocity of air that passes through the rotor disk as the rotor generates lift. When the rotor pushes air downward to create thrust, it imparts momentum to the air, creating a vertical flow through the rotor plane. That specific downward flow through the rotor is what we call induced flow (often discussed as induced velocity). It’s distinguished from downwash, which describes the downward air movement observed behind and beneath the rotor, while induced flow precisely refers to the flow through the rotor itself. Induced drag and turbulent flow are not the terms for this velocity component.

Induced flow is the downward velocity of air that passes through the rotor disk as the rotor generates lift. When the rotor pushes air downward to create thrust, it imparts momentum to the air, creating a vertical flow through the rotor plane. That specific downward flow through the rotor is what we call induced flow (often discussed as induced velocity). It’s distinguished from downwash, which describes the downward air movement observed behind and beneath the rotor, while induced flow precisely refers to the flow through the rotor itself. Induced drag and turbulent flow are not the terms for this velocity component.