Pirouettes and cyclic stirring

[alexf1852]

Do you stir in the same direction as the pirouette direction or in the opposite direction?

So if I'm pirouetting in CCW direction, do I stir the cyclic in the CCW direction? I just want to make sure I don't do it the hard way.

[jschief]

Stir in the opposite direction. If nose going to the left stir to the right.

[alexf1852]

Glad I asked. I was doing it in the same direction. Is the opposite direction supposed to be easier? I found it harder and that's why I started practicing stirring in the same direction.

[dchekas]

I don't think practicing "stirring" is the right way to learn stationary pirouettes.

"stirring" the stick will come naturally by practicing slow pirouettes while trying to maintain the same position.

When you do develop this motion, yes you will stir in opposite directions.

[Rªzª]

The purpose of a stir is to change the angle of the heli in relation to the piroette of the tail. This relationship never changes. If you want to tilt the helicopter when the heli is piroetting to the left you will always use a clockwise stirr. If the heli is rotating with right tail you will need a counter clockwise stir. This never changes. If you use a stir otherwise you'll just wobble the heli instead of getting a fluid angular change.

You could still use either stir (or at least think you are) to make corrections in a flat or stationary pirouetting maneuvar, but if you were to try a more difficult maneuvar like a piro flip, a piro circuit, or a tight piro funnel you'll see that you have no choice but to use a stir opposite to the direction of the tail.