Tailrotors
Tailrotors are the vertical-axis rotors mounted at the end of a helicopter’s tail boom. Their primary function is to counteract the torque produced by the main rotor, allowing the aircraft to maintain heading and to yaw left or right in response to pedal input. The tail rotor creates thrust by varying the pitch of its blades, and is typically driven by a shaft connected to the main rotor gearbox. Most single-main-rotor helicopters use a two- or three- or four-blade tail rotor, with the exact count varying by model and design.
In normal operation, pilot pedals adjust the tail rotor’s thrust to produce the desired yaw moment. Modern
Tailrotor safety and maintenance are important, as the rotor operates at high speed and is exposed to