Which component on a helicopter is responsible for controlling left and right movement?

The cyclic is the component on a helicopter that primarily controls the left and right movement, commonly referred to as lateral movement or roll. The cyclic stick tilts the helicopter's rotor disc in the desired direction, allowing the aircraft to pitch forward, backward, or side to side. This tilting of the rotor disc enables the helicopter to move in a specific direction; therefore, when you push the cyclic to the left or right, the helicopter banks in that corresponding direction.

While the collective is used to control the overall lift of the helicopter and the throttle regulates engine power, neither of these controls directly influences lateral movement. The rudder, which is also found on helicopters, mainly controls yaw — the movement around the vertical axis — and works together with the cyclic but does not serve the primary function of controlling left and right lateral movement. Thus, the cyclic is essential for maneuvering the helicopter horizontally.