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What is the purpose of swashplate?
A swashplate is a device that translates input via the helicopter flight controls into motion of the main rotor blades. Because the main rotor blades are spinning, the swashplate is used to transmit three of the pilot’s commands from the non-rotating fuselage to the rotating rotor hub and mainblades.
What are the 4 flight controls for helicopter?
They are the collective pitch control, the cyclic pitch control, and the antitorque pedals or tail rotor control. In addition to these major controls, the pilot must also use the throttle control, which is usually mounted directly to the collective pitch control in order to fly the helicopter.
What are the things on the bottom of a helicopter?
A helicopter main rotor or rotor system is the combination of several rotary wings (rotor blades) and a control system that generates the aerodynamic lift force that supports the weight of the helicopter, and the thrust that counteracts aerodynamic drag in forward flight.
What happens when a swash plate is vertical?
Since there is no reciprocating motion when the swash plate is in vertical position, no displacement occurs. As there is an increase in the swash plate angle, the pistons move in and out of the barrel as they follow the angle of the swash plate surface.
How are helicopters used today?
Today, helicopter uses include transportation of people and cargo, military uses, construction, firefighting, search and rescue, tourism, medical transport, law enforcement, agriculture, news and media, and aerial observation, among others.
What are the control functions of a helicopter?
Control functions A helicopter has four controls: collective pitch control, throttle control, antitorque control, and cyclic pitch control. The collective pitch control is usually found at the pilot’s left hand; it is a lever that moves up and down to change the pitch angle of the main rotor blades.
How is helicopter able to change its direction in air?
A helicopter pilot manipulates the helicopter flight controls to achieve and maintain controlled aerodynamic flight. Changes to the aircraft flight control system transmit mechanically to the rotor, producing aerodynamic effects on the rotor blades that make the helicopter move in a deliberate way.
How does the collective control stick work on a helicopter?
Movement of the collective control stick is transmitted through linkage and dual power cylinder to the main rotor pitch control mechanism, causing the helicopter to ascend or descend or to remain at a constant altitude.
How is throttle control used in a helicopter?
The throttle control is used in conjunction with the collective pitch control and is an integral part of its assembly. The throttle control is twisted outboard to increase rotor rpm and inboard to decrease rpm. The antitorque controls are pedals linked to operate a pitch change mechanism in the tail rotor gearbox.