What do the foot pedals in the cockpit primarily control?

The foot pedals in the cockpit primarily control the tail rotor's pitch, which plays a critical role in managing the yaw of the helicopter. By adjusting the tail rotor's pitch, the pilot can counteract the torque created by the main rotor and maintain directional control. This is essential for stabilizing the helicopter during flight, aiding in maneuvers, and ensuring safety.

Understanding the function of the foot pedals highlights their significance in helicopter operations. While the main rotor pitch, collective lift, and engine throttle are also key aspects of helicopter flight, they are managed by different controls. The main rotor pitch and collective lift are adjusted primarily using the cyclic and collective controls, respectively. The engine throttle controls are adjusted manually or with automatic systems, depending on the helicopter's design. Thus, the accurate identification of the tail rotor control underlines the unique and specific responsibilities carried out by different cockpit controls in aviation.