Lift to power ratio for hovering helicopters

It depends on the rotors design, one or two rotors. The blades profile, the speed of rotation. The engine power.

Really! I would never have guessed that. If you have no idea it would be more helpful to say so.

10 pounds per horsepower

Thank you Hilltopper. Thats what I am looking for.

I fly RC (model) helicopters and my 16oz helicopter requires 5 amps @ 12 volts to hover. 60 Watts per pound equates to 12.5 lb/hp. That's very close to Hilltoppers' number, even though it's for a model helicopter.

Thanks Superheat. It is very important to me to get this answer.

I don't give out useless info when I say that it depends on design features it does. there is no absolute answer to such a vague question. Ask an aeronautical engineer.

No I just think if you are as you say you should know more about these things.

He did ask an aero engineer (who is also a helo pilot). . . and the answer is still the same: about 10-12 pounds per hp. A CH-46 has two 1,875 shp engines. With crew and 1,000 lbs of fuel and no cargo, it weighs about 17,500 lbs. If it loses an engine, it can barely hover at sea level on a standard day. Parametric data (including "rules of thumb") are used all the time in conceptual designs. As the design is developed and refined, the design values change accordingly. But for starters, it's nice to know whether 1 hp will generate 1, 10, 100 or 1,000 pounds of hovering lift. Be nice. I think the inquirer was looking for a reasonable "guesstimate"; not a stone wall.

I like to know where I am starting from ie: how much the person knows to start with. I don't know him from Adam. You don't know me. I could be an aero space engineer.

It is better to find level ground and then take on the question.

Thank Superheat. Thats exactly what I wanted to know.