Which control surface is associated with yaw movement in rotorcraft?

Which control surface is associated with yaw movement in rotorcraft?

• A. Antitorque Pedals
• B. Elevators and Stabilizers
• C. Ailerons
• D. Rudder

Answer: (D)

Yaw in rotorcraft is controlled by the anti-torque system. When you apply the anti-torque pedals, the tail rotor’s thrust is adjusted to create a yaw moment, turning the helicopter’s nose left or right. This counters the main rotor’s torque and lets you rotate about the vertical axis as needed for coordinated flight. Elevators and stabilizers control pitch (nose up or down), not yaw. Ailerons control roll (banking left or right), which also doesn’t directly produce yaw. The rudder is a yaw control surface found on fixed-wing aircraft, where airflow helps produce yaw; in rotorcraft, the primary yaw control is the tail-rotor thrust managed by the anti-torque pedals.

Yaw in rotorcraft is controlled by the anti-torque system. When you apply the anti-torque pedals, the tail rotor’s thrust is adjusted to create a yaw moment, turning the helicopter’s nose left or right. This counters the main rotor’s torque and lets you rotate about the vertical axis as needed for coordinated flight.

Elevators and stabilizers control pitch (nose up or down), not yaw. Ailerons control roll (banking left or right), which also doesn’t directly produce yaw. The rudder is a yaw control surface found on fixed-wing aircraft, where airflow helps produce yaw; in rotorcraft, the primary yaw control is the tail-rotor thrust managed by the anti-torque pedals.