~16–24 kt: cleaner airflow, more lift, a pitch-up/climb tendency to manage.

Rate of closure & rate of descent reaching near zero at the hover/spot.

A real power margin over power required — high DA/weight may make it impossible.

High sink at low airspeed → settling with power. Keep descent rate & airspeed margins.

Power insufficient for OGE hover (high DA, heavy, partial power loss); arrive with forward speed.

Skids aligned with the direction of travel, helicopter level, cushion with collective.

Early — the moment the approach is unstable/unsafe. Late/low/slow at high DA is the dangerous one.