List the three simultaneous conditions required for settling with power.

• A. Vertical descent rate at least 300 FPM; Engine using 20-100% of available power; Airspeed less than ETL
• B. Vertical descent rate at least 300 FPM; Engine using 20-100% of available power; Airspeed greater than ETL
• C. Vertical descent rate at least 300 FPM; Engine using 0-20% of available power; Airspeed less than ETL
• D. Vertical descent rate at least 100 FPM; Engine using 20-100% of available power; Airspeed less than ETL

Answer: (A)

Settling with power, or vortex ring state, happens when you descend into the rotor’s own downwash while still applying power, causing the airflow to recirculate and the rotor to lose lift. For this to occur, three things must be true at the same time: you’re descending fairly quickly (about 300 feet per minute or more), you have positive engine power being used (20–100% of available power), and your forward airspeed is below the translational lift threshold (below ETL), so you don’t have the extra lift that comes with moving forward. If any one of these isn’t present—descent is slower, you’re above ETL with more translational lift, or power is too low or off—you’re not in settling with power. The option that matches these conditions is the one with a descent rate of at least 300 fpm, engine power in the 20–100% range, and airspeed below ETL.