Principles of Rotary Flight - Controls

Collective Pitch
This is a control which is only found in helicopters. Moving this up and down changes the pitch of the main rotors and moves the helicopter up and down. Today this is linked to the engine power. As the pitch is increased more power is required from the engines so that the rotor speed is kept at the same level.

Principles of Rotary Flight - Controls

Cyclic Pitch
This is the central control column. Moving it forward or back will point the nose of the helicopter up or down. It does this by varying the angle of the rotor blades as they go round, tilting the rotor back and forth. When moved left or right the rotor tilts in that direction and the helicopter banks and rolls.

Principles of Rotary Flight - Controls

Rudder Pedals
These control the tail rotor. Moving the left pedal makes the helicopter go left and moving the right pedal makes it go right. This is done by changing the pitch of the tail rotor.