What should be done to ensure safety during rotorcraft hovering?

To ensure safety during rotorcraft hovering, it is essential that all forces acting on the rotorcraft are equal. This condition is necessary to maintain a stable and controlled hover. When the lift generated by the rotor blades is equal to the weight of the rotorcraft, the aircraft can maintain its position in the air without ascending or descending. This equilibrium is crucial for preventing unwanted movement and ensuring the safety of the crew and any passengers.

In a hover state, if the forces are imbalanced, meaning that either the lift exceeds the weight or the weight exceeds the lift, it can lead to instability, which could result in the rotorcraft unintentionally climbing or descending. This makes it harder for the pilot to maintain control. Therefore, achieving a balance of forces is essential for safe and effective hovering operations.

Additionally, while increasing speed or reducing load weight could be strategic decisions in certain flight conditions, they are not prerequisites for maintaining a safe hover. Safe hovering relies primarily on the balance of forces rather than attempting to change the dynamics of flight drastically through speed or weight adjustments.