SIFT Army Aviation Practice Test 2025 – Complete Exam Prep

The situation described involves the helicopter's nose dropping while the cyclic control is neutral. This indicates that there may be an imbalance in the helicopter's center of gravity or load distribution. When fuel is burned from the rear tanks, the helicopter's center of gravity shifts forward. If the cyclic is not adjusted to maintain proper pitch attitude, this can result in the nose of the helicopter dropping.

As fuel is consumed from the rear, it decreases the overall weight at that end, leading to a shift that can cause the nose to lower unless corrective action is taken through the cyclic. This phenomenon underscores the importance of managing fuel loads and being aware of how changes in fuel can affect the helicopter's balance and performance.

Other factors like improper trim settings, excess weight, or low airspeed might influence flying characteristics, but in this scenario, the specific action of burning fuel from the rear clearly illustrates a direct cause for the nose dropping.