Definition
A tactile or visual indication provided by a helicopter's automatic flight control system that prompts the pilot to adjust the collective lever to maintain a target flight parameter, such as airspeed, vertical speed, or altitude. The cue may take the form of a soft force on the collective itself or a guidance symbol on the flight display, depending on the aircraft's AFCS design.
Plain English
A nudge or on-screen hint from the autopilot system that tells the pilot which way to move the collective lever to keep the helicopter on its intended flight path.
Context Anchor
Seen on helicopter instrument displays when using flight guidance or an automatic flight control system during instrument flight.
Derivation
‘Collective’ refers to the helicopter control lever that changes the pitch of all main rotor blades together (collectively) to make the aircraft climb or descend. ‘Cue’ comes from theatre, meaning a signal prompting an action. Together, the term means a signal telling the pilot when and how to use the collective.
Why Pilots Care
Allows precise collective inputs that prevent altitude excursions and reduce pilot workload in IMC.
Intuition Check
Do not read collective as meaning a group of people or shared control. Here, collective means the helicopter lever that changes lift from the main rotor blades together. Do not read cue as the control itself. The cue is the displayed prompt telling the pilot what collective movement is needed.
Example Sentence 1
During the ILS approach, the pilot followed the collective control cue to capture and hold the glideslope at a steady descent rate.
Example Sentence 2
With the AFCS in altitude mode the collective control cue remained steady, allowing hands-off collective management.