The Four Flight Controls of Helicopters
Helicopters are advanced types of aircraft, able to rotate along a 360° axis while also being capable of hovering, vertical takeoffs and landings, and much more. In order for a pilot to manage a helicopter, they utilize what are known as helicopter flight controls. When manipulating flight controls, adjustments are mechanically transmitted to the rotor, allowing for changes in aerodynamics so that an intended movement may be executed. Controls come in various forms, consisting of a number of sticks, pedals, levers, and other inputs. In this blog, we will discuss the common flight controls of helicopters, allowing you to best understand how such rotorcraft are piloted.
The cyclic control is one of the four primary helicopter controls, featuring an appearance similar to the control stick of a conventional fixed-wing aircraft. Coming in the form of a stick, such controls are typically placed in front of the pilot seat where the pilot can easily reach it by hand. If the helicopter has a fly-by-wire system, however, then the stick may be placed to the side of the seat. The cyclic control provides pilots with the ability to manage the main rotor for directional change, permitting forward, backward, and lateral movement. Such controls are known as cyclic controls as they adjust the pitch angle of each main rotor blade independently based on a cycle. Rotor systems are often faced with a delay between the movement of a control and the execution of a change, resulting from phase lag. This is due to the fact that a rotor is an oscillatory system that follows laws of governing vibration, similar to the characteristics of an aircraft gyroscope.
The collective pitch control, also known as a collective lever, is a control typically placed on the left side of the pilot seat. With the collective, a pilot may adjust the pitch angle of all main rotor blades at the same time. As all helicopter rotor blade components are adjusted equally with the collective, such controls are typically relied on for the means of increasing or decreasing the total lift generated by the main rotor. While hovering or in level flight, such changes in pitch would allow the helicopter to climb or descend, while a forward pitched helicopter would be capable of accelerating.
The anti-torque pedals of a helicopter are placed where the rudder pedals of a fixed-wing aircraft would be, serving a very similar use. With the anti-torque pedals, the direction of the rotorcraft nose may be managed. This is due to the fact that the pedals assume control over the tail rotor blade pitch, increasing or decreasing its thrust. As thrust changes, the nose will begin to yaw in the direction of the depressed pedal.
The final primary helicopter flight control is the throttle, that of which manages the power of the engine. As the engine is connected to the rotor by a transmission, adjusting the throttle will allow for rotor speed to be managed. While some helicopters have power levers for their throttle management, many use a single or dual twist grip control that is placed onto the collective control.
As each primary helicopter control is paramount for the safe and efficient management of such vehicles during flight, all should be well maintained and replaced as necessary. Aviation Axis is an online distributor of aircraft components, serving as your sourcing solution for top quality helicopter interior parts, helicopter door and seating parts, helicopter rotor blade components, and much more. With our team members readily available for customers 24/7x365, you may request quotes for your comparisons with ease and a dedicated account manager will reach out to you in 15 minutes or less. Give us a call or email today and see how Aviation Axis is revolutionizing the part procurement process for our customers.
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