During which stage of flight do objects experience the highest buoyancy?

In the context of flight, buoyancy refers to the upward force that allows an object, such as a helicopter or balloon, to rise and stay afloat in the air. During the hovering stage, an aircraft maintains a stable position in the air without moving vertically or horizontally. It is at this stage that the lift generated by the aircraft's rotors or wings is equal to the weight of the aircraft, resulting in a balance between gravitational forces and lift forces.

Hovering requires a constant generation of lift to counteract gravity. This is where buoyancy is most pronounced, as the aircraft can generate sufficient lift to maintain its altitude against the pull of gravity. In this phase, the aircraft relies heavily on its lift capabilities to remain suspended, effectively maximizing the sensation of buoyancy.

In contrast, during takeoff and landing, while buoyancy is still at play, the dynamics are different as the aircraft is transitioning between ground and air and often experiences turbulence and varying speeds. In cruising, the aircraft is in steady flight at a higher altitude, where the lift generated helps it maintain its altitude, but the feeling of buoyancy is not as immediate or concentrated as during hovering. Therefore, hovering is the stage of flight where the experiences related to buoyancy are most evident