What mode of operation maintains long-term stabilization of the helicopter's attitude?

• A. SAS
• B. ATT HOLD
• C. HDG HOLD
• D. VS

Answer: (B)

The mode of operation that maintains long-term stabilization of the helicopter's attitude is ATT HOLD. This mode is specifically designed to keep the helicopter in a steady, controlled attitude during flight. When engaged, ATT HOLD maintains the desired pitch and roll angles by using inputs from the helicopter's attitude sensors and the flight control system.

This mode operates by actively sensing the helicopter's current orientation and making necessary adjustments through the control mechanisms to counteract any unwanted changes in attitude. This is especially useful for long-term stabilization, as it allows the pilot to focus on other tasks without needing to constantly readjust the helicopter's orientation, effectively reducing pilot workload.

While the other modes serve important functions—such as providing short-term stabilization or controlling heading and vertical speed—they do not focus explicitly on maintaining a long-term attitude stabilization. Thus, ATT HOLD is the most suitable choice for achieving sustained control over the helicopter's orientation during flight.