PLT169: Antitorque System Components And Functions
What code PLT169 covers, why the FAA tests it, and how to study Antitorque System Components And Functions before your checkride.
Recall antitorque system - components / functions
What this means for your checkride
The antitorque pedals control the pitch, and therefore the thrust, of the tail rotor blades. The tail rotor counteracts the torque of the main rotor and controls heading in a hover, while in forward flight the pedals put the helicopter in longitudinal trim. With the pedals neutral the tail rotor holds a medium positive pitch that roughly equals main rotor torque in cruise. Applying right pedal yaws the nose right and left pedal yaws it left, and the tail rotor can also produce left thrust with a negative pitch angle.
Heading and yaw control depend on the antitorque system, and pilots must know how pedal inputs change tail rotor thrust.
A common error is treating the pedals as a turn control in forward flight, when above translational lift they are used mainly to trim for torque, not to steer.
Where to study it
A code on your test report is an area of deficiency. An authorized instructor must review it with you and endorse that review before you take the practical test, and the examiner may revisit it during the oral. Study it until you can explain it out loud, not just recognize the answer.