Rotor Hydraulics

The hydraulic components of a helicopter rotor system are critical for controlling blade pitch through the swashplate assembly.

Hydraulic actuators, or servo cylinders, receive pilot input from the cyclic and collective controls and adjust the swashplate's angle and position.

This swashplate then transmits movement to the rotor blades via pitch links, enabling precise control of lift, direction, and stability.

The hydraulic system maintains high pressure (often 3,000 psi or more) to ensure responsiveness under aerodynamic load, with redundancy and accumulators built in to maintain control in case of system failure.