pitch control

helicopter

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 1, 2026

Quick Summary

Cyclic-pitch control is a crucial mechanism in helicopters that allows for directional movement. It works by adjusting the pitch angle of the main rotor blades individually during each rotation cycle. This variation in pitch causes the rotor disc to tilt, enabling the helicopter to move forward, backward, or sideways. The cyclic-pitch control is typically operated by a stick located to the pilot's right. This system is distinct from collective-pitch control, which changes the pitch of all blades equally to control altitude.123

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

helicopter
Principles of flight and operation
…uses the collective and cyclic pitch control (see below) to vary this pitch angle. In a fixed-wing aircraft, the angle of attack (the angle of the wing in relation to the relative wind) is important in determining lift. The same is true in a helicopter, where the angle of attack…
Read More
…uses the collective and cyclic pitch control (see below) to vary this pitch angle. In a fixed-wing aircraft, the angle of attack (the angle of the wing in relation to the relative wind) is important in determining lift. The same is true in a helicopter, where the angle of attack…
Read More