When a helicopter is hovering, what is the most common directional control used to maintain position?

The most common directional control used to maintain position when a helicopter is hovering is cyclic control. The cyclic control allows the pilot to tilt the rotor disc in a forward, backward, left, or right direction. This variation in rotor disc tilt adjusts the helicopter's flight path and direction, making it essential for maintaining a stable hover. By moving the cyclic control forward, backward, or side-to-side, the pilot can make precise adjustments to counteract wind effects or other environmental factors, keeping the helicopter stable in a fixed position.

While collective control modulates the thrust produced by the rotor system by changing the pitch of the blades simultaneously, it primarily governs altitude rather than lateral movement. The rudder pedals are essential for managing the yaw, which incorporates the helicopter's rotation around its vertical axis, but they play a supporting role in directional control rather than being the primary means of maintaining position. Yaw control refers specifically to changes in the helicopter's heading, which can be achieved using the rudder pedals but does not directly relate to positional stability in flight.