SIFT Army Aviation Information Practice Test

Where is the horizontal stabilizer typically located on many helicopters?

1. On the mast

2. On the tail boom

3. On the fin

4. None of the above

The correct answer is: On the tail boom

The horizontal stabilizer on many helicopters is typically located on the tail boom. This placement is crucial as it helps to improve the aircraft's stability and control during flight. The horizontal stabilizer works in conjunction with the vertical stabilizer to maintain the desired pitch attitude and prevent excessive nose-up or nose-down tendencies. Placing the horizontal stabilizer on the tail boom allows for effective aerodynamic performance, as it is positioned away from the main rotor's turbulent airflow, thus providing a more stable and serene airflow over the stabilizer itself. Other options are not commonly seen in conventional helicopter design; for example, placing the stabilizer on the mast or fin would not optimize the stabilizer's aerodynamic efficiency and could complicate the aircraft's stability management.