Downwash

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Change in direction of air by rotor blade

title: "Downwash" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["aerodynamics", "vortices"] description: "Change in direction of air by rotor blade" topic_path: "general/aerodynamics" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downwash" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Change in direction of air by rotor blade ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/79/US_Navy_050419-N-5313A-414_Search_and_Rescue_(SAR)_swimmers_attached_to_the_Kearsarge_Expeditionary_Strike_Group_conduct_search_and_rescue_training_during_routine_helicopter_operations.jpg" caption="The effect of downwash from a hovering [[Sikorsky Seahawk]] is clearly visible on the surface of water below."] ::

In aeronautics, downwash is the change in direction of air deflected by the aerodynamic action of an airfoil, wing, or helicopter rotor blade in motion, as part of the process of producing lift. In helicopter aerodynamics discussions, it may be referred to as induced flow.

Lift on an airfoil is an example of the application of Newton's third law of motion – the force required to deflect the air in the downwards direction is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the lift force on the airfoil. Lift on an airfoil is also an example of the Kutta-Joukowski theorem. The Kutta condition explains the existence of downwash at the trailing edge of the wing.{{citation | last=Anderson | first=John D. | title=Introduction to Flight | year=2004 | edition=5th | publisher=McGraw-Hill | isbn=0-07-282569-3 | pages=352–361, §5.19 | first1=Wolfgang | last1=Langewiesche | title=Stick and Rudder: An Explanation of the Art of Flying | publisher=McGraw-Hill | year=1990 | isbn=0-07-036240-8 | pages=6–10 | url-access=registration | url=https://archive.org/details/stickrudderexp00lang/page/6

References

References

  1. Crane, Dale: ''Dictionary of Aeronautical Terms, third edition'', page 172. Aviation Supplies & Academics, 1997. {{ISBN. 1-56027-287-2
  2. "ALC-104: Helicopter - General and Flight Aerodynamics". Federal Aviation Authority.
  3. "Downwash Effects on Lift". nasa.gov.

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