SIFT Army Aviation Information Practice Test

Which control is considered a rate controlled instrument?

1. collective

2. throttle

3. cyclic

4. anti torque pedals

The correct answer is: anti torque pedals

The anti-torque pedals are considered a rate controlled instrument because they are primarily used to maintain the helicopter's yaw attitude and control the rate of turn. By adjusting the pitch of the tail rotor, the anti-torque pedals help counteract the torque produced by the main rotor system. When a pilot applies pressure on the pedals, it directly influences the yaw rate of the helicopter, allowing for precise control over how quickly the aircraft rotates around its vertical axis. This rate control is crucial during various flight maneuvers, especially when trying to maintain coordinated flight. In contrast, other controls like the collective, throttle, and cyclic have different functions and characteristics. The collective changes the overall lift produced by the rotor blades but does not directly control the rate of ascent or descent in the same manner the pedals control yaw. The throttle adjusts engine power but is typically not rate controlled. The cyclic, while it does influence pitch and roll rates, operates differently compared to the specific rate control that the anti-torque pedals provide.