When wind is less than 5 knots, which runway selection rule applies for helicopters?

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Multiple Choice

When wind is less than 5 knots, which runway selection rule applies for helicopters?

When wind is very light, the wind direction doesn’t create a meaningful crosswind for a helicopter. The best choice is the calm-wind runway, because it provides the most stable landing environment when there’s virtually no wind to contend with. With almost no wind, small gusts can otherwise complicate precise hovering and touchdown, so using the calm-wind runway minimizes those effects. If the wind were stronger, you’d pick the runway aligned with the wind to reduce crosswind impact. The longest or widest runway doesn’t address wind conditions and isn’t the primary factor for rotorcraft landings in light wind.

When wind is very light, the wind direction doesn’t create a meaningful crosswind for a helicopter. The best choice is the calm-wind runway, because it provides the most stable landing environment when there’s virtually no wind to contend with. With almost no wind, small gusts can otherwise complicate precise hovering and touchdown, so using the calm-wind runway minimizes those effects.

If the wind were stronger, you’d pick the runway aligned with the wind to reduce crosswind impact. The longest or widest runway doesn’t address wind conditions and isn’t the primary factor for rotorcraft landings in light wind.

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