Tail Rotor

The tail rotor system provides lateral thrust to compensate for the torque of the main rotor that is applied to the helicopter. It is also used to control the movement of the helicopter around the vertical axis.

The tail rotor is on the left side of the helicopter and turns clockwise when looking inboard. It is a delta hinge type of rotor that prevents dissymmetry of lift.

The tail rotor has a balance wheel so it can be dynamically balanced when high frequency vibrations occur.

The tail rotor system includes the systems that follow:

• Rotor blades

• Rotor hub

• Rotating controls

The rotor hub and rotor blades are an assembly mounted to the output shaft of the tail rotor gearbox. For a system discussion and/or description, refer to Tail Rotor Hub and Blade Assembly.

Rotor blades

The rotor blade system provides the necessary aerodynamic lift force to push the tail rotor in the opposite direction of the torque applied by the main rotor. It also has provisions to control that force so the helicopter can be moved around the vertical axis. Refer to Rotor Blades.

Rotor hub

The tail rotor hub assembly provides attachments for the rotor blades and a flapping axis for the rotor to prevent dissymmetry of lift. It is driven by the output shaft of the tail rotor gearbox to give the rotor blades the necessary angular speed to provide for lateral thrust. Refer to Rotor Hub.

Rotating controls

The rotating controls transfer input from the directional controls to the tail rotor blade assemblies. It provides the movement of the pitch change axis of the tail rotor blade assemblies so the aerodynamic lift force that pushes the tail rotor can be increased or decreased. Refer to, Rotating Controls.