In hover flight, winds should not exceed how many knots?

• A. 35 knots
• B. 25 knots
• C. 40 knots
• D. 30 knots

Answer: (A)

Hover is the most wind-sensitive phase because the helicopter isn’t using forward airspeed to gain translational lift, so wind gusts and crosswinds directly push the aircraft around. In this condition, rotor downwash interacts with the wind and any deck motion, making precise position and heading control much harder and increasing the risk of drifting into obstacles or deck hazards. Setting a limit around 35 knots provides enough control authority to maintain a stable hover on a ship or confined deck and to perform safe transitions to/from the deck. Winds above this level reduce the margin for safe handling, which is why 35 knots is the specified limit.