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Q:

What is cross coupling in helicopters?

A:

Cross-coupling in all flying aircraft, including helicopters, is the occurrence of instability in an aircraft due to violent motions on the three axis. The three axis of an aircraft are  pitch, yaw, and roll. These instances of cross-coupling began occurring mainly after World War ll when technology allowed pilots to reach higher speeds. There are many different types of cross-coupling; an example is "translating tendency" which occurs on helicopters between two rotors, the tail and the main. It causes the helicopter to drift towards the tail rotor. Pilots must be able to counter cross-coupling when flying helicopters to keep stability. 

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