What action is necessary when a helicopter transitions from a hovering to forward flight?

In the process of transitioning from a hovering state to forward flight, modifying the cyclic control is essential for a helicopter. The cyclic control allows the pilot to adjust the rotor blade angles to control the helicopter's pitch and roll. During the hover, the helicopter has a balanced rotor system where all blades are typically at a uniform angle. When shifting to forward flight, the pilot must move the cyclic forward to tilt the rotor disks slightly forward. This change in rotor orientation allows the helicopter to gain forward momentum and lift off the vertical flight path. It's a crucial maneuver to ensure stability and control during this phase of flight, optimizing the helicopter's performance as it transitions to forward airspeed.