Pitch Control

This is fundamental to the flight of a helicopter. Pitch can be either negative or positive, and is usually measured in degrees. Positive pitch is where the leading edge of the rotor blade is rotated, or twisted in an upward direction thus helping to create lift. On the other hand, negative pitch is where the leading edge of the blade is rotated in a downward direction with the effect of forcing the helicopter downwards.

Cyclic control

This is usually on the right hand stick of your transmitter and controls the way the helicopter rolls left or right, or forwards and backwards. In practice, by applying left cyclic, the helicopter will tilt to the left and the rotor disk will pull the helicopter to the left.

Collective control

Usually on the left hand stick, and controls the amount of pitch, or pulling power the rotors have. In addition it controls the amount of throttle that is applied. By pushing the left hand stick forward the throttle will open and at the same time the pitch of the main blades will increase, thus creating lift and the helicopter will rise. (Also see Govenor)

Rudder control

Again, usually on the left stick. When you move the stick to the right, the nose will move to the right. This is also known as "yaw" and is controlled by the attitude or pitch of the tail rotor.

Tail Rotor

A conventional helicopter needs a tail rotor to offset the torque of the motor turning the main blades. (If you hold an electric drill, and press the ON button, the drill will tend to twist in you hand. This is torque). As the power of your helicopter's motor increases so does the torque, thus the body of the helicopter will want to turn in the opposite direction to the rotation of the main blades. By increasing, or decreasing the pitch of the tail rotor blades, the body of the helicopter can be kept pointing straight ahead as the throttle is opened or closed.