Title: Helicopters Flying In Circles – Why Do They Do That? – Pilot Teacher
Headings: Helicopters Flying In Circles – Why Do They Do That?
Helicopters Flying In Circles – Why Do They Do That?
Why Do Helicopters Circle Overhead?
Why Does A Helicopter Circle Before Landing?
Circling Vs Hovering
Hovering
Circling
H/V Diagram
To Finish
Further Reading:
Rick James
Aircraft Cockpits: Why Are There So Many Buttons!!?
What Do Pilots Use iPads For? More Thank You Think!

Content: Tall Buildings – When trying to look down into the street that is surrounded by tall buildings a high hover is a better option. If a helicopter orbits, the surrounding buildings can block the view. By maneuvering the helicopter into the best stationary position it allows the object to be observed easily. Limited Airspace – When many news helicopters like to cover an incident the pilots can talk to one another and each hold their position. I saw this happen at Boeing Field near Seattle when 6 news helicopters all sat hovering to the sides of the runway when the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner flew in for the first time. By doing this, Air Traffic Control allowed them to get closer and each news channel got a perfectly clear shot of the approach and landing of the plane. Circling
Here are the most common factors why flying an orbit at around 60 kts airspeed is done in a helicopter: Power Required – Hovering a helicopter requires the most amount of power from the engine/s, especially when they are about 20ft-60ft above the ground. By flying at 60kts it requires the least amount of power from the engines, thus reducing fuel consumption. A Typical Helicopter ‘Power Required Curve’
When the helicopter is at a slow speed the rotor system has to create all the lift just from the engine power.