If a helicopter could in fact hover for 15 hours would it be in a different place when it lands?

Question

Its a question that has had me pondering for years. If the experiment could in fact be done, I would have wind factoring into the problem. I have asked all of my science teachers and all my math teachers for the past couple of years, starting in about the sixth grade, and none could answer.

Answer 1

If you factor in the winds aloft, which, depending on altitude, can reach 100+ mph, I'd say it will probably drift to the east somewhat slower than geosynchronous orbit.

Answer 2

That's definitely one for the Mythbusters! Man, now I'm going to be wondering that all night...

I have a similar question that no one could positively answer: would molten metal be attracted to a magnet?

Sorry to drift off-topic, but your awesome question made me remember that.

Answer 3

The definition of hovering means keeping a relatively steady position above a fixed point on the ground, through appropriate correction from the pilot to remain at the same spot, compensating for wind and what not; so after 15 hours, it should still be at the same place, relative to the ground.

In the absence of pilot's correction, and assuming that the helicopter is very stable, it would drift with the wind. In the absence of wind, the rotation of the earth (if this is what you had in mind) does not come into play, as the atmosphere moves with the planet.

Answer 4

No it will be in same place.b'cause earth's gravity keeps it in the same place except for wind factor.like the clouds,it's the wind that pushes it.

Answer 5

Without the influence of the atmosphere[ without which it could not fly] it would be approxmately 15000 miles westward....excellent question    james