What is the control used to change the pitch of all main rotor blades equally and simultaneously, thereby changing lift?

What is the control used to change the pitch of all main rotor blades equally and simultaneously, thereby changing lift?

• A. Cyclic Pitch Control
• B. Throttle
• C. Anti-torque Pedals
• D. Collective Pitch Control

Answer: (D)

The collective pitch control is used to change the pitch of all main rotor blades equally and simultaneously, which directly changes lift. When you raise the collective, the blade pitch increases for every blade at each rotation, producing more lift and making the helicopter ascend. Lowering the collective decreases pitch and lift, causing the helicopter to descend. This is distinct from the cyclic control, which varies pitch as the blade moves around the rotor so the rotor disk tilts to move in a direction, rather than increasing or decreasing overall lift. Anti-torque pedals adjust tail rotor thrust for yaw, and throttle controls engine power (and typically rotor RPM), not the collective blade pitch.

The collective pitch control is used to change the pitch of all main rotor blades equally and simultaneously, which directly changes lift. When you raise the collective, the blade pitch increases for every blade at each rotation, producing more lift and making the helicopter ascend. Lowering the collective decreases pitch and lift, causing the helicopter to descend. This is distinct from the cyclic control, which varies pitch as the blade moves around the rotor so the rotor disk tilts to move in a direction, rather than increasing or decreasing overall lift. Anti-torque pedals adjust tail rotor thrust for yaw, and throttle controls engine power (and typically rotor RPM), not the collective blade pitch.