SIFT Army Aviation Practice Test 2025 – Complete Exam Prep

The correct scenario for when weathervane is most likely to cause problems during a hovering turn is when the heading is with the wind. In this situation, the aircraft experiences a significant lateral force that can lead to an uncommanded turn or movement because the wind is pushing against the aircraft's tail.

When the aircraft is facing into the wind, the relative wind is aligned with the aircraft’s heading, which provides greater stability and control. This reduces the chance of weathervaning since the aircraft is being held into the wind effectively. Conversely, at the end of the turn or at the beginning of the turn, the dynamics are changing, but the height of the wind's impact is more pronounced when the aircraft is directly facing with it.

When headed with the wind, control inputs can become less effective, causing difficulty in maintaining a stable hover and requiring the pilot to make constant adjustments to counteract the drift induced by the wind. This can lead to challenges in maintaining a desired flight path and can result in a loss of control if not managed properly.