In a hovering helicopter equipped with a tail rotor, how is directional control maintained?

Directional control in a hovering helicopter equipped with a tail rotor is maintained by varying the pitch of the tail rotor blades. The tail rotor's primary function is to counteract the torque produced by the main rotor and maintain directional stability. When the pilot adjusts the pitch of the tail rotor blades, it changes the thrust generated by the tail rotor, allowing for changes in yaw, which is the rotation of the helicopter around its vertical axis.

Increasing the pitch of the tail rotor blades increases thrust in the opposite direction of the main rotor's torque, thus correcting any undesired yaw movement. Conversely, reducing the pitch decreases this thrust, allowing the helicopter to turn in the direction of the main rotor's torque. This ability to control yaw and maintain directional stability is crucial for precise maneuvering and hovering in place.

The other options touch upon different aspects of helicopter control: adjusting the cyclic pitch affects the helicopter's forward or lateral movement, moving the center of gravity can alter stability, and controlling the collective pitch modifies the overall lift but not the direction. However, it is the pitch adjustment of the tail rotor that directly manages the helicopter's directional orientation while hovering.