SIFT Aircraft Components and Controls Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A helicopter pilot needs to fly forward from a stable hover. Which primary flight control will be the main input to achieve this movement?
- Anti-torque pedals
- Collective lever
- Cyclic stick (Correct answer)
- Throttle
Correct answer: Cyclic stick
The cyclic stick is used to control the tilt of the main rotor disc. Pushing the cyclic forward tilts the rotor disc forward, creating a component of lift that provides thrust, moving the helicopter forward.
Question 2: What is the primary function of the anti-torque pedals in a single-rotor helicopter?
- To control the pitch and roll of the aircraft.
- To increase or decrease the pitch of all main rotor blades simultaneously.
- To adjust the engine RPM for more or less power.
- To counteract the torque effect of the main rotor and control yaw. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: To counteract the torque effect of the main rotor and control yaw.
The main rotor's rotation creates a torque effect that would cause the helicopter's fuselage to spin in the opposite direction. The anti-torque pedals control the pitch of the tail rotor blades, which generate thrust to counteract this torque and allow the pilot to control the aircraft's heading (yaw).
Question 3: Which of the following components translates the pilot's cyclic and collective control inputs from the non-rotating fuselage to the rotating main rotor blades?
- Swashplate (Correct answer)
- Transmission
- Mast
- Rotor hub
Correct answer: Swashplate
The swashplate is a critical mechanical assembly that consists of a stationary part and a rotating part. It tilts and moves vertically in response to pilot inputs, transferring these commands to the rotating rotor blades via pitch links, thereby controlling the helicopter's flight.
Question 4: A pilot is flying a helicopter and notices the fuselage is beginning to yaw to the right. To correct this and maintain a stable heading, the pilot should apply:
- Forward cyclic
- Right anti-torque pedal
- Aft cyclic
- Left anti-torque pedal (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Left anti-torque pedal
In most American-made helicopters, the main rotor spins counter-clockwise, creating a torque that yaws the fuselage to the right. The pilot applies left anti-torque pedal to increase the thrust of the tail rotor, pushing the tail to the right and yawing the nose to the left to maintain a stable heading.
Question 5: The entire tail assembly of an aircraft, including the vertical and horizontal stabilizers, rudder, and elevators, is collectively known as the:
- Fuselage
- Aileron assembly
- Empennage (Correct answer)
- Cockpit section
Correct answer: Empennage
The empennage is the correct term for the entire tail assembly of an aircraft. Its purpose is to provide stability and control. The fuselage is the main body of the aircraft.
Question 6: During an engine failure, a pilot initiates an autorotation. What is the primary purpose of lowering the collective lever immediately?
- To steer the helicopter towards a landing zone.
- To quickly reduce forward airspeed.
- To maintain rotor RPM by using the upward flow of air. (Correct answer)
- To increase the lift and soften the initial descent.
Correct answer: To maintain rotor RPM by using the upward flow of air.
In an autorotation, the engine is no longer driving the rotors. The pilot must immediately lower the collective to reduce the pitch (and thus drag) on the main rotor blades. This allows the upward flow of air through the rotor disc to keep the blades spinning, which is essential for maintaining lift and control for a safe landing.
SIFT Aircraft Components and Controls Questions and Answers
A helicopter pilot needs to fly forward from a stable hover.
Which primary flight control will be the main input to achieve this movement?