Introduction to

Helicopter Controls

"Vertigo" is a Division of the Airwego Virtual Airline Group

In practice, when flying a helicopter, the pilot makes small movements of all the controls, all the time, to keep upright, and pointing in the right direction. However, in theory, we can break down the control systems as follows:

Collective:    Up and Down (also connected to engine throttle).

Cyclic:    Forwards, backwards, Right sideways, & Left sideways.

Yaw:    Rotate left, & rotate right.

The following pictures are of a Sikorsky S76C Cockpit

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Collective

The Collective lever (the one on the floor to the left of each pilot), when pulled, causes all the blade pitch angles to increase the same amount (or COLLECTIVELY). This means that the rotor disk has lift applied evenly over it's whole area, and, if the Cyclic control is central, the aircraft will rise straight up.

Conversely, when the lever is lowered, all blade pitch angles decrease, which decreases lift evenly over the rotor disk, and the aircraft will descend.

On most modern helicopters, the collective system is usually tied into the engine throttle in some form. This means that as the lever is raised, more fuel is fed to the engine. This provides more power as the lift, and hence torque, needed increases.

IN FLIGHT SIMULATOR:

The collective is best simulated using the throttle wheel/lever on your joystick (or separate throttle control if you've got that kind of money !).

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Cyclic

The Cyclic stick (the one between the pilot's legs), has a more complex action on blade pitch. Basically, when the stick is moved, the blade pitch on each blade changes as it travels around it's path (or CYCLICLY).

Whichever direction the stick is pushed, the rotor disk tilts in that direction. For example, stick forward, the disk tilts down at the front. The aircraft is then pulled in that direction.

IN FLIGHT SIMULATOR:

The cyclic is best simulated using an analogue joystick (preferably one with a top hat, and LOTS of buttons).

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Yaw

The Yaw system (the foot pedals), basically does the same thing that the rudder pedals do in a fixed wing aircraft. Except you can spin the helicopter round without forward speed. Push the right pedal forward, and the aircraft turns, or spins right, push left, and you go left.

IN FLIGHT SIMULATOR:

There is no substitute for a pair of pedals. The control you get cannot be equaled in any other way.