page_title: Helicopter rotor
section_title: Tail rotor
hierarchical_section_title: Helicopter rotor / Rotor configurations / Single main rotor / Tail rotor
caption_attribution_description: Español: Rotor de cola de un Aérospatiale Puma perteneciente al 801 Escuadrón de Fuerzas Aéreas (Ejército del Aire Español) en la Festa del Cel en Barcelona (España). English: Tail rotor of an Aérospatiale Puma of the 801 Squadron of Air Forces (Spanish Air Force) in the Festa del Cel in Barcelona (España).
context_page_description: A helicopter main rotor or rotor system is the combination of several rotary wings and a control system that generates the aerodynamic lift force that supports the weight of the helicopter, and the thrust that counteracts aerodynamic drag in forward flight. Each main rotor is mounted on a vertical mast over the top of the helicopter, as opposed to a helicopter tail rotor, which connects through a combination of drive shaft and gearboxes along the tail boom. The blade pitch is typically controlled by a swashplate connected to the helicopter flight controls. Helicopters are one example of rotary-wing aircraft. The name is derived from the Greek words helix, helik-, meaning spiral; and pteron meaning wing.
context_section_description: The tail rotor is a smaller rotor mounted so that it rotates vertically or near-vertically at the end of the tail of a traditional single-rotor helicopter. The tail rotor's position and distance from the centre of gravity allow it to develop thrust in a direction opposite of the main rotor's rotation to counter the torque effect created by the main rotor. Tail rotors are simpler than main rotors since they require only collective changes in pitch to vary thrust. The pitch of the tail rotor blades is adjustable by the pilot via the anti-torque pedals, which also provide directional control by allowing the pilot to rotate the helicopter around its vertical axis, thereby changing the direction the craft is pointed.
caption: Tail rotor of an SA 330 Puma
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