What causes the advancing blade to flap up?

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Multiple Choice

What causes the advancing blade to flap up?

Explanation:
The advancing blade flaps up because it experiences more lift than the retreating blade in forward flight. When the helicopter moves forward, the blade on the advancing side meets the air with a higher relative speed (combination of rotor rotation and forward motion), generating greater lift. The blade’s flap hinge allows it to rise to relieve this extra lift, helping balance the lift across the rotor disk. This upward flap is a direct aerodynamic response to the increased lift, not caused by drag or weight shifting.

The advancing blade flaps up because it experiences more lift than the retreating blade in forward flight. When the helicopter moves forward, the blade on the advancing side meets the air with a higher relative speed (combination of rotor rotation and forward motion), generating greater lift. The blade’s flap hinge allows it to rise to relieve this extra lift, helping balance the lift across the rotor disk. This upward flap is a direct aerodynamic response to the increased lift, not caused by drag or weight shifting.

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