cyclic-pitch control column

cyclic-pitch control column

A control column in a helicopter similar to a conventional aircraft. It is operated by the pilot's right hand. The pitch of each blade is altered consecutively from minimum to maximum and back to the minimum, as determined by the position of the pilot's control, during each revolution of the rotor. Normally referred to as just cyclic. The process of cyclic-pitch change is also called cyclic feathering. The pilot exercises cyclic-pitch control via fore/aft/left/right movement of the upright cyclic stick.