How is thrust produced by the tail rotor typically controlled?

Thrust produced by the tail rotor is typically controlled by moving the foot pedals. In a helicopter, the tail rotor provides anti-torque to counteract the torque generated by the main rotor. When the pilot adjusts the foot pedals, they are changing the pitch angle of the tail rotor blades. This adjustment modifies the amount of thrust produced by the tail rotor, allowing the pilot to control the helicopter's yaw movement. By increasing the pitch of the tail rotor blades, more thrust is generated, which helps to counteract the main rotor's torque and turns the nose of the helicopter in the opposite direction.

In contrast, adjustments to rotor speed, hand movements, or automatic stabilization systems do not directly control the thrust produced by the tail rotor. Rotor speed adjustments tend to affect overall lift and performance, while hand movements are generally related to collective and cyclic controls, which influence the helicopter's altitude and forward/backward movement rather than yaw. Automatic stabilization systems may assist with stability but do not replace the need for pilot input through the foot pedals to manage tail rotor thrust effectively. This is why moving the foot pedals is the primary method of controlling the tail rotor thrust.