Definition
A primary helicopter flight control, operated by the pilot's left hand, that simultaneously changes the pitch angle of all main rotor blades by the same amount. Raising the collective increases blade pitch on every blade together, increasing total rotor lift; lowering it decreases lift. It is the principal control for vertical movement and power demand.
Plain English
The lever beside the pilot's seat that the pilot pulls up to make the helicopter climb and pushes down to descend. It changes the angle of all the rotor blades at the same time, by the same amount.
Context Anchor
Seen in helicopter flying, especially when discussing climbs, descents, power changes, and automatic flight control systems that may help manage vertical movement.
Derivation
From the everyday word 'collective,' meaning 'acting on all together.' The name describes exactly what the control does: it adjusts all rotor blades collectively, as one group. This contrasts with the cyclic control, which changes blade pitch differently around the rotor's cycle.
Why Pilots Care
Proper collective management is essential for maintaining altitude, controlling descent rate, and managing power during instrument approaches in helicopters.
Intuition Check
Collective does not mean a group of people here. In helicopter control, it means the rotor blades are being changed together as one set.
Example Sentence 1
The pilot raised the collective to lift the helicopter into a hover.
Example Sentence 2
During stabilized flight the AFCS held collective position while the pilot focused on heading and altitude.