SIFT Army Aviation Information Practice Test

In which direction do the anti-torque pedals move the helicopter's nose?

1. Up and down

2. Left and right

3. Forward and backward

4. Clockwise and counterclockwise

The correct answer is: Left and right

The anti-torque pedals in a helicopter are designed to counteract the torque produced by the main rotor. When the rotor turns, it generates a force that attempts to rotate the helicopter's body in the opposite direction of the rotor's spin. The pilot uses the anti-torque pedals, which are typically located on the floor of the cockpit, to control the orientation of the helicopter's nose in response to this torque. When the pilot pushes on the left anti-torque pedal, the tail rotor pitches in a way that pushes the helicopter nose to the left. Conversely, pressing the right pedal causes the tail rotor to change pitch and directs the helicopter nose to the right. This left/right movement of the helicopter's nose is pivotal for maintaining controlled flight and for making turns. In contrast, the other options do not accurately describe how the anti-torque pedals function. Movement up and down would pertain to changes in pitch or altitude, while forward and backward would indicate changes in the helicopter's forward flight attitude. Clockwise and counterclockwise might refer to the overall rotation of the helicopter rather than the specific control provided by the anti-torque pedals. Therefore, the correct understanding of the function of the anti-torque pedals is that they move the helicopter's nose