Transition flight covers speeds from 0 up to ______ KIAS.

• A. 0 - 80 KIAS
• B. 0 - 60 KIAS
• C. 0 - 100 KIAS
• D. 0 - 120 KIAS

Answer: (A)

Transition flight is the speed range between vertical flight (hover) and forward flight, where the rotor system is transitioning from producing lift primarily through vertical motion to producing forward thrust as airspeed increases. For this helicopter, that regime extends from 0 up to about 80 KIAS. Within this band you manage rotor lift, airframe stability, and control sensitivity as you accelerate, keeping appropriate rotor RPM and using coordinated cyclic and collective inputs to maintain altitude while gaining forward speed. Above 80 KIAS you’re into the low‑speed cruise/normal flight regime, where the flight dynamics and handling characteristics shift and different limits apply. The other options either cap the transition too low or extend into speeds that are typically considered cruise, so they don’t align with how this aircraft’s flight envelope defines transition. Remember, KIAS means indicated airspeed, so these boundaries reflect instrument-reported speed used to segment flight regimes.