Describe the basic function and major components of the UH-60 primary flight control system.

Describe the basic function and major components of the UH-60 primary flight control system.

• A. The primary system uses electronic fly-by-wire controls with no hydraulics.
• B. Cyclic and collective inputs move the swashplate and pitch of the main rotor blades; hydraulic actuators convert pilot input to rotor movement; the tail rotor provides anti-torque control via pedal inputs.
• C. The tail rotor controls main rotor lift directly.
• D. The system has no pilot input and is fully automatic.

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that pilot inputs are turned into changes in rotor blade pitch to control lift, direction, and yaw, using hydraulics to move the rotor controls. When you move the cyclic, you tilt the rotor disk by shifting the swashplate, and hydraulic actuators translate that into differential blade pitch as the blades rotate, which steers the helicopter. Moving the collective changes the pitch of all main-rotor blades uniformly to raise or lower lift. The swashplate assembly (including its non-rotating and rotating parts) and the pitch links connect the cyclic and collective motions to the individual blade pitches. For yaw control, pedals alter the tail rotor’s pitch to counter the main rotor’s torque, producing yaw. The hydraulics amplify and transmit your inputs to these components, providing the necessary force and control precision. This system relies on pilot inputs and hydraulic power rather than electronic fly-by-wire or full automatic control, and the tail rotor is the mechanism that provides anti-torque rather than lifting the main rotor.

The main idea is that pilot inputs are turned into changes in rotor blade pitch to control lift, direction, and yaw, using hydraulics to move the rotor controls. When you move the cyclic, you tilt the rotor disk by shifting the swashplate, and hydraulic actuators translate that into differential blade pitch as the blades rotate, which steers the helicopter. Moving the collective changes the pitch of all main-rotor blades uniformly to raise or lower lift. The swashplate assembly (including its non-rotating and rotating parts) and the pitch links connect the cyclic and collective motions to the individual blade pitches. For yaw control, pedals alter the tail rotor’s pitch to counter the main rotor’s torque, producing yaw. The hydraulics amplify and transmit your inputs to these components, providing the necessary force and control precision. This system relies on pilot inputs and hydraulic power rather than electronic fly-by-wire or full automatic control, and the tail rotor is the mechanism that provides anti-torque rather than lifting the main rotor.