The following quoted from the R22 report:
"In a still-air hover the amount of power required is reduced due to the effect of increased air pressure or ‘ground cushion’ below the rotor disk. This effect reduces as airflow, or wind, increases. At the time of the accident G-UNYT would have been close to its maximum weight. In the hover, with a wind of 20-25 kt, it is possible that, at this weight, there would have been a negligible margin of power."
Does this sound blatantly wrong to anyone else? First off, anyone foolhardy enough to quote the old "cushion of increased pressure" idea on this forum would be looking at a sound thrashing from the aerodynamics gurus here. Why is this debunked myth showing up in an official report?
Furthermore, can we get a show of hands from anyone who thinks that hovering in a 25kt wind would take MORE power than in still air? That wind speed is above ETL range for a Robbo, even fully loaded, resulting in greater efficiency of the rotor system and thus LESS power would be required to hover.
Do I need a better understanding of the basics, or do the AAIB need to check their facts?