Which component provides directional control about the vertical axis (yaw) on a helicopter?

• A. Swashplate
• B. Main Rotor Hub
• C. Tail Rotor
• D. Droop Stops

Answer: (C)

Yaw control in a helicopter comes from anti-torque: a device at the tail that creates thrust to counteract the spinning main rotor. The tail rotor provides directional control about the vertical axis by varying its thrust with the pedals. When you press the pedals, tail rotor thrust increases or decreases, causing the helicopter to yaw left or right.

The swashplate mainly handles cyclic and collective pitch to control lift and the helicopter’s attitude, not yaw directly. The main rotor hub is part of the rotor system that transmits torque and lifts the aircraft, while droop stops are just mechanical limits to blade movement and don’t control yaw.