Definition
A helicopter flight control aid that provides tactile feedback through the collective control, gently resisting or guiding the pilot's input to indicate the recommended collective position for a given flight condition. It is a cueing device, not an autopilot — the pilot still moves the collective, but feels a soft pressure suggesting where it should be.
Plain English
A system that nudges the collective lever in a helicopter so the pilot can feel where it should be set for the current flight condition. The pilot still flies the aircraft; the system just provides a gentle hint through the controls.
Context Anchor
Seen in helicopter automatic flight control and flight director discussions, especially during instrument flight and stabilized approaches.
Derivation
Collective' refers to the helicopter control that raises or lowers the pitch of all main rotor blades together (collectively), controlling lift. 'Cue' comes from the theatrical sense of a prompt or signal. Together: a system that signals the pilot through the collective control.
Why Pilots Care
Prevents abrupt collective movements that could disturb altitude or rotor RPM when transitioning between manual and automated control.
Intuition Check
“Collective” does not mean a group of people here; it means the helicopter lever that changes lift from all main rotor blades together. The cue is not the lever itself—it is the prompt telling the pilot how to move it.
Example Sentence 1
During the instrument approach, the collective control cue system gently indicated the power reduction needed to maintain the descent profile.
Example Sentence 2
During an ILS approach in a helicopter, the collective control cue system helped keep power changes smooth as the aircraft captured the glidepath.