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In regards to 'retreating blade stall', what can a pilot adjust to mitigate this stall?



To mitigate retreating blade stall, a pilot can adjust airspeed, altitude, rotor RPM, and collective pitch. Retreating blade stall occurs because the retreating blade experiences a lower relative wind speed, requiring a higher angle of attack to generate sufficient lift. At high airspeeds or high gross weights, this can cause the retreating blade to reach its critical angle of attack and stall. Reducing airspeed decreases the difference in relative wind speed between the advancing and retreating blades, allowing the retreating blade to operate at a lower angle of attack. Reducing collective pitch also reduces the angle of attack on the retreating blade. Increasing rotor RPM increases the relative wind speed on both blades, but it especially helps the retreating blade. Lowering the altitude will also help since the density altitude would be less and power required would be lower.