What is generated when a helicopter is in a slow hover?

When a helicopter is in a slow hover, downwash is generated as the helicopter's rotors spin and create lift. The downward movement of air, or downwash, is a crucial aspect of helicopter flight, especially in a hovering state. In this scenario, the rotor blades push air downwards, generating lift and creating a column of air that flows downward from the rotors.

This downward flow affects the air around the helicopter, contributing to the aerodynamics of hovering and impacting nearby structures, ground surfaces, or any objects below the helicopter. While lift is certainly being generated to keep the helicopter airborne, the term "downwash" specifically refers to the air movement created by the rotor blades, which is a significant phenomenon during hovering flight. The other options—drag, which refers to the resistance faced due to air friction, forward thrust, which is relevant during forward flight—are not the primary focus during a hover, making downwash the most relevant term in this context.