Helicopter Controls Demonstrator

The attitude of a helicopter in the air in not controlled by rudder, ailerons or elevators; these would not work when the helicopter is hovering, or moving slowly.

To tilt the aircraft, the angles each of the rotor blades make with the air - the "angle of attack" - is changed, so that more lift is generated on one side or the other. The control column of the helicopter is used to make these changes, by altering the alignment of the "swash plate" under the rotor.

The tendency of the helicopter to rotate opposite to the direction of the rotor is balanced by the thrust of its tail rotor. The foot pedals control the speed of the tail rotor, so that the aircraft can be turned with or against this effect.

Visitors may turn the rotor (SLOWLY) and the controls, to see these principles at work.