A helicopter's flight control system is designed to achieve and maintain controlled aerodynamic flight. These control systems are mechanically transmitted to the rotors, creating an aerodynamic effect that causes the helicopter to move in the desired manner. The pilot's control skills of the helicopter, especially when flying forward, are crucial to the safety and stability of the flight.
The pilot must learn to operate the three main flight controls precisely: the cyclic stick, the overall stick, and the anti-torsion pedals.
The cyclic stick is like the control stick of a fixed-wing aircraft, but its design is crucial. This control allows the pilot to change the angle of attack of the helicopter's main rotor, thus affecting longitudinal (forward and backward) or lateral (side to side) movement. When the helicopter is hovering, the pilot must constantly adjust the cyclic stick to eliminate horizontal drift and maintain the desired altitude.
Each small adjustment of the loop bar can have a significant effect on the flight path.
The overall lever is mainly used to jointly change the angle of attack of all main rotor blades, thereby rapidly changing the total lift. Adjustment of this control increases or decreases the helicopter's overall lift, allowing it to climb or descend in flight.
The anti-torsion pedals are used to control the direction of the helicopter's nose. By changing the angle of the tail rotor, the pilot can adjust the helicopter's yaw, which is critical to maintaining flight balance.
For many pilots, hovering is considered one of the most challenging flying conditions. In this state, any slight deviation requires immediate adjustment by the pilot, which requires the pilot to have rich experience and precise control skills.
In forward flight, helicopter flight controls are similar to those of fixed-wing aircraft. In this state, the pilot must carefully control the cycle lever, overall lever and pedals to ensure a smooth flight and avoid unnecessary sudden changes.
Autorotation is a state in which a helicopter can land safely when it malfunctions or loses power. The driver must flexibly use the overall lever and the circulating lever to ensure the lift and stability of the machine.
ConclusionUnderstanding the relationship between these controls is key for the pilot to maintain control in the air.
In summary, controlling a helicopter is more than just operating a few controls. It requires the driver's deep understanding of the machinery and continuous practical experience. Faced with the complex and rapidly changing aerial environment and the interaction with ground traffic, precise control skills are essential to ensure safe flight. With the advancement of technology, future flights will face more challenges. How should pilots adapt and learn new skills when faced with new situations?