ETL = Effective Translational Lift - Basically it means that the helicopter
can fly in forward or translating flight (it doesn't have to be forward
persay but I hope you know what I mean) under conditions that it wouldn't be
able to hover.

IGE = In Ground Effect - which is, as I understand it (I'll be corrected if
I'm too far off on this) within 1 to 1.5 rotor diamters from the ground.
This is as apposed to OGE or "Out of Ground Effect." It takes more power to
hover out of ground effect than it does to hover in ground effect.

In the accident that's been discussed here, the helicopter was operating at
extreme altitudes, probably flying heavy, and tried to leave the security of
ground effect before reaching ETL. The result was that it couldn't maintain
altitude, settled to the ground and struck the tail rotor which promptly
disintegrated, then rolled the aircraft up into a ball and burned.

Hope this helps!
Steve R.


"Gary Emerson" wrote in message
...
Newbie here, what's ETL and IGE? Thanks...