> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.bramadams.dev/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Vortex Ring State
- URL: https://www.bramadams.dev/202301190155/
- Published: 2023-01-28T01:22:37.000Z
- Updated: 2023-01-28T01:23:24.000Z
- Author: Bram Adams
- Tags: physics, engineering

> **The vortex ring state (VRS) is a dangerous aerodynamic condition that may arise in [helicopter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helicopter?ref=bramadams.dev) flight, when a [vortex ring](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vortex%5Fring?ref=bramadams.dev) system engulfs the [rotor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helicopter%5Frotor?ref=bramadams.dev), causing severe loss of [lift](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lift%5F%28force%29?ref=bramadams.dev)**. The vortex ring state is sometimes referred to as **settling with power**. The [Federal Aviation Administration](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal%5FAviation%5FAdministration?ref=bramadams.dev) (FAA) sees these terms as synonymous, whereas [Transport Canada](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transport%5FCanada?ref=bramadams.dev) sees them as two different phenomena.[2](https://www.bramadams.dev/2)(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vortex\_ring\_state#cite\_note-2) ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01gp6htx8vnbjwk28hv4nehmtw?ref=bramadams.dev))

## Relevant

> Since the helicopter that had made the emergency landing was damaged and unable to fly the team out, **it was destroyed to safeguard its classified equipment, including an apparent [stealth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stealth%5Ftechnology?ref=bramadams.dev) capability**.[81](https://www.bramadams.dev/81)(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing\_of\_Osama\_bin\_Laden#cite\_note-dangerroomstealth-81) The pilot smashed the instrument panel, radio, and the other classified fixtures and the SEALs demolished the helicopter with explosives. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01gb8vbg9b96gkf7ee1y53243x?ref=bramadams.dev))

> Both the corpse and bin Laden were 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in); SEALs on the scene did not have a [tape measure](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tape%5Fmeasure?ref=bramadams.dev) to measure the corpse, so a SEAL of known height lay down next to the body and the height was so approximated by comparison.[88](https://www.bramadams.dev/88)(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing\_of\_Osama\_bin\_Laden#cite\_note-ST6return-88) **Obama quipped: "You just blew up a $65 million helicopter and you don't have enough money to buy a tape measure?** ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01gb8vhtaj65n3z8vy74b2rav4?ref=bramadams.dev))

## Lebron Didn't Warn Them About the Vortex Ring State Smh

> "You know when I first got to Miami in 2011, I just had a strange feeling that Osama Bin Laden was hiding in Abbottabad Pakistan. I told Coach Spo and D Wade about it and they set up a meeting with Obama and we got it done #JustAKidFromAkron"  

![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhBQUx9WQAEvbBQ.jpg)

([View Tweet](https://twitter.com/PresidentToguro/status/1589858988492922880?ref=bramadams.dev))

## When Turbulence is a Good Thing

> A vortex ring state sets in when the airflow around a helicopter's main rotor assumes a rotationally symmetrical form over the tips of the blades, supported by a laminar flow over the blade tips, and a countering upflow of air outside and away from the rotor. In this condition, the rotor falls into a new topological state of the surrounding flow field, induced by its own downwash, and suddenly loses lift. Since vortex rings are surprisingly stable fluid dynamical phenomena (a form of [topological soliton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topological%5Fsoliton?ref=bramadams.dev)), **the best way to recover from them is to laterally steer clear of them, in order to re-establish lift, and to break them up using maximum engine power, in order to establish [turbulence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turbulence?ref=bramadams.dev)**. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01gp6hxwv15ep7ks8mrwd8dmtd?ref=bramadams.dev))