Cyclic Back - It Could Save Your Life
Mastering Aft Cyclic for Helicopter Control and Safety
About this session
“Cyclic Back: It Could Save Your Life” examines proper aft cyclic use in helicopter operations and its impact on aircraft attitude, stability, and energy state. The webinar highlights how improper or abrupt aft cyclic inputs can contribute to loss of control during critical phases of flight, including hover, takeoff, landing, and transition. Emphasis is placed on coordinated control techniques, common pilot errors, and practical strategies to improve safety and handling precision.
Acknowledgements
Pete Gillies was the long time Chief Pilot at Western Helicopters in California, USA. He was honored at Verticon '26 with the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his piloting skill in helicopters, innovation & countless hours of given instruction. He is also a regular contributor to the industry’s leading helicopter publications and a distinguished speaker at events for professional helicopter pilots and the industry at large. He is sought after as an expert witness and for challenging wire pulling, external load and mountain flying operations.