Anti-torque pedals
~ are used to >yaw the helicopter during hovering flight
~ helicopter can be pivoted by pushing on either pedal
~ the left pedal yaws the nose to the left
~ the right pedal yaws it to the right
~ most single main rotor helicopters require the pilot to manipulate the pedals during torque changes
~ failure to do so will result in yawing the aircraft
~ during hovering flight, the pedals are a rate device
~ pushing on the left or right pedal a certain amount will cause the helicopter to yaw right or left at a particular rate
~ the more you push the pedal, the faster the helicopter will yaw.
~ on a calm day, the pedals will hardly move in a hover except to counter torque changes, or to yaw the aircraft on purpose
~ on a windy day however, the pedals will be in constant motion as tail rotor thrust varies due to wind and main rotor downwash effects
~ on most helicopters, the tail rotor is not mounted at the vertical CG
~ changes in tail rotor thrust will cause a right or left rolling tendency depending on which pedal is being pushed,
~ and whether the tail rotor is mounted above or below the CG
~ rolling tendency has to be countered by the pilot moving >cyclic control
~ this cross coupling adds to the pilot's workload
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