During autorotation, which input is primarily used to prevent rotor RPM overspeed?

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Multiple Choice

During autorotation, which input is primarily used to prevent rotor RPM overspeed?

Explanation:
The key idea is that rotor speed in autorotation is controlled mainly by blade pitch through the collective. Increasing blade pitch raises the rotor drag, which dissipates more energy from the rotor system and slows the rotor down toward the safe RPM range. So when the rotor is at risk of overspeed, you raise the collective to increase drag and bring NR back under control. Cyclic inputs mainly tilt the rotor disk and affect forward speed and lift distribution, not the primary power sink that sets rotor RPM in autorotation. Reducing throttle isn’t effective here because the engine isn’t driving the rotor during autorotation.

The key idea is that rotor speed in autorotation is controlled mainly by blade pitch through the collective. Increasing blade pitch raises the rotor drag, which dissipates more energy from the rotor system and slows the rotor down toward the safe RPM range. So when the rotor is at risk of overspeed, you raise the collective to increase drag and bring NR back under control.

Cyclic inputs mainly tilt the rotor disk and affect forward speed and lift distribution, not the primary power sink that sets rotor RPM in autorotation. Reducing throttle isn’t effective here because the engine isn’t driving the rotor during autorotation.

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