Which statement best describes hover drift standards?

• A. Maintain ground track with minimum drift
• B. Maintain ground track with maximum drift
• C. Drift not allowed at all
• D. No drift considerations are part of hover

Answer: (A)

Hover drift standards focus on keeping the aircraft's position over the ground as steady as possible while you’re hovering. Wind will push the helicopter, so the goal is to counteract that push and maintain a nearly fixed ground track with minimal lateral movement. To do this, you use the pedals to hold the rotor thrust in line with the wind and small cyclic adjustments to balance the lift and counter any drift, keeping reference to a ground point or marker. On a check ride, you’re expected to show you can stay in a small footprint over the intended spot, despite wind, by correcting promptly and smoothly to reestablish a steady ground track. Excessive drift is unsafe and shows you’re unable to maintain a precise hover, while claiming no drift considerations exist ignores a fundamental part of hovering, and the notion that drift can’t happen is unrealistic because wind will always cause some movement.