How does the UH-60 tail rotor provide anti-torque control and what happens if it fails?

How does the UH-60 tail rotor provide anti-torque control and what happens if it fails?

• A. Tail rotor provides lift for the tail and stabilizes pitch.
• B. Tail rotor controls yaw through pedal input, but not linked to engine torque.
• C. Tail rotor produces counter-torque; yaw changes with pedal input; failure leads to uncontrolled yaw and loss of directional control.
• D. Tail rotor controls main rotor speed directly.

Answer: (C)

The main idea is how the anti-torque system keeps the helicopter from spinning. In a UH-60, the engine’s torque on the main rotor would make the fuselage want to rotate in the opposite direction. The tail rotor provides thrust to counter that torque. By moving the pedals, you change the tail rotor’s pitch and thrust, which adjusts how much counter-torque is produced and lets you yaw the helicopter left or right as needed for taxiing, hover, and turning. If the tail rotor fails, there’s no longer a counter-torque to balance the main rotor’s torque. The helicopter yaws uncontrollably in the direction dictated by the remaining torque of the main rotor, and you lose directional control until you can manage the situation through procedures or reduce power.

The main idea is how the anti-torque system keeps the helicopter from spinning. In a UH-60, the engine’s torque on the main rotor would make the fuselage want to rotate in the opposite direction. The tail rotor provides thrust to counter that torque. By moving the pedals, you change the tail rotor’s pitch and thrust, which adjusts how much counter-torque is produced and lets you yaw the helicopter left or right as needed for taxiing, hover, and turning.

If the tail rotor fails, there’s no longer a counter-torque to balance the main rotor’s torque. The helicopter yaws uncontrollably in the direction dictated by the remaining torque of the main rotor, and you lose directional control until you can manage the situation through procedures or reduce power.