Which component is aerodynamically similar to the main rotor blades but smaller?

• A. Swashplate
• B. Dampers
• C. Tail Rotor Blades
• D. Tail Rotor Head

Answer: (C)

Both rotor blades and tail rotor blades use the same idea: they are airfoil-shaped blades that generate thrust as they rotate through the air. The tail rotor is designed as a scaled-down version of the main rotor blade so it can provide the required anti-torque thrust in the limited space at the tail, while still following the same aerodynamic principles and airfoil design. That shared shape and operating behavior is why the tail rotor blades are aerodynamically similar to the main rotor blades, just smaller.

Other components don’t fit this description because they don’t act as blades producing lift or thrust. The swashplate is a control linkage that changes blade pitch, dampers reduce vibration, and the tail rotor head (hub) is the mounting for the blades rather than a blade itself.