Aviation glossary
Collective control
The lever to the left of the pilot that changes the pitch of all rotor blades simultaneously. Sets total thrust — climb or descent.
The collective (via the swashplate) raises or lowers the pitch of every main rotor blade at the same time. Increasing pitch increases thrust and the helicopter climbs. At the same time rotor drag rises and RPM falls, so modern helicopters have a coupled throttle (twist grip on piston types) or an automatic correlator / FADEC (turbine types) that adjusts engine power. The collective is the primary autorotation control: if the engine fails, the pilot lowers the collective immediately to preserve rotor RPM.
Related terms
- Cyclic controlThe primary helicopter control operated by the right hand. Tilts the rotor disc and sets the direction of flight — forward, back or sideways.
- AutorotationA flight condition in which airflow through the rotor keeps it spinning without engine power. Lets a helicopter land safely after a power failure.
- Piston engineA reciprocating internal-combustion engine — in helicopters typically an air-cooled flat four or six. Powers the Robinson R22, R44 and Guimbal Cabri G2.