Every helicopter in Battlefield 6 is driven by four axes. Understanding what each one does—and how the game maps them—removes most of the early friction.

Battlefield 6 helicopter controls: pitch, yaw, roll, throttle

Axis What it does Typical inputs
Throttle (collective) Ascend or descend vertically; sets lift Controller: left stick up/down • Keyboard: W/S
Yaw (rudder) Rotate the helicopter left/right (nose left/right) Controller: left stick left/right • Keyboard: A/D or mouse (custom)
Pitch Point the nose up/down to move forward/back Controller: right stick up/down • Keyboard: mouse up/down
Roll Lean left/right to strafe and bank turns Controller: right stick left/right • Keyboard: A/D (custom)

By default-style layouts, throttle and yaw live on the left stick or WASD, while pitch and roll sit on the right stick or mouse. That mental model—“left hand manages lift and rotation, right hand aims the nose and lean”—is the baseline the game expects.

The stock mappings work, but small changes can make flying and shooting feel smoother. Two proven tweaks:

  • On PC, put pitch and yaw on the mouse and move roll to A/D, leaving throttle on W/S. This keeps the two aiming axes under one hand and gives you precise nose control during attack runs.
  • On controller, keep throttle and yaw on the left stick and pitch/roll on the right stick, but consider moving fire to a trigger that doesn’t fight your throttle finger. The goal is to avoid sharing throttle and primary fire on the same side.

These alternative button settings reduce cross‑hand corrections and make it easier to line up shots while managing altitude.

Sensitivity and deadzone tuning (what matters, not numbers)

Helicopters reward steady inputs over high sensitivity. Dial in settings so small wrist movements track targets without overshooting, but fast swipes can still snap the nose for evasive moves. Practical guardrails:

  • Lower pitch/yaw sensitivity until you can smoothly trace a rooftop without oscillation.
  • Keep roll slightly more responsive than pitch so you can quickly level the rotor to recover.
  • Use a small deadzone to prevent drift without dulling micromovements.

Tip: Revisit sensitivity after a few matches; helicopters feel different at speed versus a hover, and your target tracking will improve with practice.

Takeoff, climbing, and losing altitude fast

Clean vertical control makes everything else easier. Use this pattern:

  • Takeoff: Throttle up to lift, then add a slight forward pitch to build translational lift and stabilize.
  • Quick climb: Add throttle while briefly pitching forward; the added airflow over the rotor smooths the ascent.
  • Controlled drop: Reduce throttle and pitch forward a touch to convert altitude into forward speed. Avoid full throttle cut; keep a small cushion for recovery.

Note: If the nose starts to wander while you climb or drop, correct with yaw first, then re‑establish pitch. Mixing large yaw and roll inputs simultaneously causes most early crashes.

Strafing a target without overexposing

Strafes are safer than hovering. They keep you moving across AA sightlines while delivering consistent fire.

  1. Entry: Approach offset from the target so you can see across it, not straight into it.
  2. Line up: Roll slightly toward the target and counter with yaw to “crab” sideways while the nose stays aimed.
  3. Fire and exit: As you cross the target, roll away and add throttle to climb out, or pitch down to extend speed low and fast.

Think “roll to aim laterally, yaw to maintain nose, throttle to stay safe.” Short, repeatable passes beat long hovers every time.

Going fast and braking fast

Speed is life, but you need a reliable way to stop without flailing.

  • Accelerate: Pitch forward and hold a steady throttle. Small roll inputs help trim the nose and maintain a straight sprint.
  • Hard brake (flare): Ease off pitch, pitch up smoothly to present more rotor disc to the air, add throttle to catch the sink, then level out. Done right, you bleed speed rapidly without tail‑swing.

Practice the flare away from obstacles first; over‑flaring without throttle recovery leads to a sink and tail strike.

Recovery: leveling out when things go wrong

If momentum starts dragging you into the ground or a building, prioritize rotor orientation and lift:

  • Roll until the main rotor is facing up (level relative to the horizon).
  • Throttle up to re‑establish lift.
  • Then fix heading with yaw and re‑apply gentle pitch to move out.

This roll‑then‑lift sequence is faster and safer than fighting with yaw alone when you’re off‑axis.

Using momentum to stay stable

Helicopters carry lateral momentum; overcorrecting creates oscillations. Two simple rules keep you smooth:

  • One axis at a time: Make a small input, wait a beat to feel the response, then layer the next correction.
  • Anticipate drift: Before you stop a strafe, begin rolling back toward level and reduce yaw slightly; you’ll exit cleaner and straighter.

With practice, you’ll predict how much counter‑input you need before the helicopter starts to slide.

Quick reference: what to press for common moves

Move Controller Keyboard/Mouse (recommended)
Vertical climb Left stick up; minor forward pitch W; slight mouse down
Sharp yaw turn Left stick left/right; add throttle to hold altitude Mouse left/right; add W to maintain lift
Banked strafe Right stick toward target + counter‑yaw A/D for roll + mouse yaw toward target
Hard brake (flare) Reduce forward pitch, then pitch up + throttle Ease mouse up; add W, then level
Emergency level Roll to level horizon, throttle up, then yaw A/D to level, W, then mouse yaw

You’ll fly better once your hands stop “sharing jobs.” Keep throttle and rotation consistent under one hand, keep nose control under the other, and build muscle memory around short strafes, clean flares, and quick recoveries. The game never explains these basics well; a few focused reps in an open area will lock them in faster than an hour of panic hovering over an objective.