Definition
The foot pedals in a helicopter that control the pitch of the tail rotor blades, used by the pilot to counteract the torque produced by the main rotor and to control the helicopter's heading while hovering or in slow flight.
Plain English
The two foot pedals in a helicopter that the pilot pushes to keep the nose pointed where they want it. They stop the helicopter from spinning the opposite way to its main rotor.
Context Anchor
Seen in helicopter instrument flying, especially during instrument takeoff when the pilot must keep heading control without relying on outside visual cues.
Derivation
From 'anti-' (against) and 'torque' (a twisting force). The main rotor's spinning creates a twisting force that would rotate the helicopter body the opposite way; these pedals work against that force, hence 'antitorque.'
Why Pilots Care
They allow precise yaw control, preventing unwanted rotation and enabling stable flight.
Grounding Statement
Pressing an antitorque pedal changes the sideways push at the tail so the helicopter’s nose can be held steady or turned deliberately.
Intuition Check
Antitorque pedals are not wheel brakes, and in a helicopter they are not simply airplane rudder pedals. Their main job is to control yaw and counter the main rotor’s twisting effect.
Example Sentence 1
While hovering, the pilot made small adjustments to the antitorque pedals to keep the helicopter's nose pointed straight down the runway.
Example Sentence 2
Smooth coordination of the antitorque pedals with the cyclic and collective is required for a stable hover.