Helicopters jump in and out of ground effect when near raised platforms, the CFD is not calculating the drop

[brmg1926]

@Scip2009

The helicopter tends to drift to the left when hovering in an open field without wind. To keep it still, I have to keep it to the right with a roll angle of approx. 3° to 5°

@Kuse1

As far as I know, this is simulated absolutely correctly and is a peculiarity of this helicopter. The H125 tilts about 3-5° to the right when hovering.

This is called “translating tendency” or “tail rotor drift” and is normal for single-rotor helicopters (i.e. helicopters with a tail rotor).

A tail rotor inherently produces sideways thrust as it counteracts the torque of the main rotor. Tail rotor thrust will make the helicopter drift sideways in a hover – unless you tilt the main rotor to cancel out the drift. On some helicopters this tilt is built in, and on other helicopters you must hover with one skid low.

Here’s a good video about translating tendency:

Translating Tendency in Helicopters