tail rotor

(Aeronautics) a small propeller fitted to the rear of a helicopter to counteract the torque reaction of the main rotor and thus prevent the body of the helicopter from rotating in an opposite direction

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Noun

tail rotor - rotor consisting of a rotating airfoil on the tail of a single-rotor helicopter; keeps the helicopter from spinning in the direction opposite to the rotation of the main rotor

anti-torque rotor

rotor - rotating mechanism consisting of an assembly of rotating airfoils; "there are horizontal rotors on a helicopter or compressor rotors in a jet engine"

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References in periodicals archive

The defects led to the tail rotor blades' KILLED Pilots Izabela and Eric ' pitch being changed "till they reached the physical limit", said the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.

CRASH COPTER PEDAL FAILURE; Leicester tragedy pilot couldn't control rotor

The report revealed that a system linking the pilot's pedals with the tail rotor failed.

'Pedal fault' led to Leicester helicopter crash

But the Air Accident Investigation Branch said yesterday the "investigation of the tail rotor control system is being carried out as a priority".

Leicester helicopter 'did not respond to pilot's command' as tail rotor probed; Before the helicopter spun out of control, killing Leicester City's Thai billionaire owner and four others, it turned right, despite the pilot's left pedal command

Snowdonia National Park warden Aled Taylor, who saw the crash, said: "The tail rotor of the helicopter stopped and the machine went out of control.

The tragic day RAF rescue helicopter plunged into lake killing three teens

Both the Main and Tail Rotor Actuators incorporate the latest features including the latest developments in servo-valves, solenoid valves, spool valves and detection devices including anti-jamming on the spool valve.

Precision Aviation Group, UTC Aerospace Systems sign MRO deal

A few minutes later, the crew was performing tail rotor backup checks by moving the servo switch to the "backup" position, which caused the H-60 to lose control of the tail rotor.

Chopper chain reaction

Airbus Helicopters presented its new clean-sheet medium-class rotorcraft design, the H160, which features the biggest-ever shrouded tail rotor and an all-new "biplane stabilizer" design that the company says will enhance stability.

New products unveiled at Heli-Expo

The following parts all have seals: the pitch, roll and yaw piston; the primary servo pistons in the hydraulic deck; the main rotor damper pistons; the main landing gear struts; the tail landing gear struts; the tail rotor servo piston and the stabilator actuator.

Take care of pistons and struts