SIFT Army Aviation Practice Test 2025 – Complete Exam Prep

The correct answer emphasizes the role of the pedals in controlling the helicopter's yaw, which is the term used to describe the left or right rotation of the helicopter's nose. When a pilot wants to turn the helicopter, they use the foot pedals which are connected to the tail rotor control system. Pressing one pedal causes the tail rotor to adjust its thrust, allowing the helicopter to rotate in the direction dictated by which pedal was pressed.

When the left pedal is pressed, the tail rotor produces more thrust on the right side, thus turning the nose of the helicopter to the left. Conversely, pressing the right pedal increases thrust on the left side of the tail rotor, turning the helicopter's nose to the right.

This method of control is crucial for coordinated turns, as it maintains balance and allows for smoother maneuvers while managing the helicopter's stability in flight. Other methods mentioned, such as using the collective or cyclic, do not directly manipulate the nose direction in the same way, as they primarily affect altitude and forward/backward pitch respectively.