Which pedal direction is used for antitorque control when the main rotor rotates clockwise as viewed from above?

Which pedal direction is used for antitorque control when the main rotor rotates clockwise as viewed from above?

• A. LEFT
• B. RIGHT
• C. CENTER
• D. BOTH

Answer: (B)

Antitorque is produced by tail rotor thrust controlled by the pedals. When the main rotor is turning clockwise as seen from above, the rotor’s torque makes the helicopter tend to yaw to the left. Pushing the pedals to the right increases tail rotor thrust in the direction that produces a yaw to the right, counteracting the leftward tendency and stabilizing the heading. Center or using both pedals wouldn’t create the needed yaw moment, so the right pedal is the one you use to apply anti-torque in this rotor direction.

Antitorque is produced by tail rotor thrust controlled by the pedals. When the main rotor is turning clockwise as seen from above, the rotor’s torque makes the helicopter tend to yaw to the left. Pushing the pedals to the right increases tail rotor thrust in the direction that produces a yaw to the right, counteracting the leftward tendency and stabilizing the heading. Center or using both pedals wouldn’t create the needed yaw moment, so the right pedal is the one you use to apply anti-torque in this rotor direction.